A Few Highlights This Week

 Although there has not been a large number of birds around the past week, some "quality" birds made things interesting.

This past Saturday, I ventured down to the Point Pelee area.  The Essex County Field Naturalists annual banquet was in the evening at Maidstone, so I birded the area before heading to that.

Water levels have been low, so there was a lot of mud around Hillman.  

Several Dunlin and Greater Yellowlegs were showing.

A Hudsonian Godwit had been around, but we could not find it in the morning.  It showed up after I left the area!  As well, a Glossy Ibis was found by the "morning shift", but I was already at Jack Miner's and heading west.

However, a Lark Sparrow found the previous day was still at the park's Tip parking lot.  It was about as co-operative as a bird could be!

I walked up the east side to sparrow field.  I noticed quite a bit of erosion.  Quite a step up!

Later, I chcked out Wheatley Harbour.  Hundreds of gulls there, but no novelties.

The old Sombra ferry is still there!  They have finally painted it blue and white, which is quite pleasing.

Sunday was somewhat uneventful, but I checked out Mitchell's Bay first thing Monday morning.  There were lots of blackbirds moving, but it was difficult to to get good looks as they were moving fast.  Likely a Yellowheaded or two was among them, but I did not see one.

That morning, a Purple Sandpiper was found in a familiar location, the Erieau pier.  I decided to go and check it out in the afternoon.  It was not visible, so I had to jump to the lower level and peek around the front of the lighthouse.  There it was!

Afterwards, I walked part of the marsh trail (rail trail), and there were lots of birds there.

Tuesday morning, I again checked out Mitchell's Bay.  There was a nice sunrise.

Even more blackbirds were moving, and I did spot a male Yellow-headed Blackbird as it quickly flew by.

I noticed that Red Crossbills had been reported at Marthaville Habitat near Petrolia that day.

The next morning I went bright and early, and just as it was getting light, a flock of Red Crossbills took flight and circled around.  Probably a dozen!

The pond at Marthaville

Before I left, a single one was circling around aimlessly, not knowing what to do.

I did attempt a recording, but the crossbill is difficult to hear, even if you turn up volume to full.

It is not an irruption year for finches, but some always come around, so it was nice to get them on the list.

female Red Crossbill at Algonquin Park

Today, I noticed that a moderate NNE wind was forecast, so I went up to Sarnia for a lakewatch.  It was busy enough to keep us interested.  

The highlight was a female Harlequin Duck that flew by at close range.  Another nice bird to get on the list for this year!  Not feasible to get a photo today.

female Harlequin from the past at Sarnia

Apparently it stuck around the rest of the day in the area.

So, things are happening, and interesting birds will show up here and there.