Mid January Jaunts

 With the recent cold and very windy weather, outdoor activities have been limited.  It was simply too cold to go for a long walk anywhere.

Feeder watching from home provided the main excitement, although just the usual birds were around.  Last year I had two White-throated Sparrows, but only one is hanging around this winter.

After the big blow, an American Tree Sparrow showed up for a day.  Not a usual visitor here, but for some reason one or two show up after a storm, then depart!

A couple of days ago, I decided to go to Rondeau Park.  It was still quite cold, so walking was limited.  I first checked the campground.  I came across the Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler at the north end.  It was quite active, and I was unable, once again, to get a decent photo.

There were lots of Fox Sparrows along Lakeshore Road, feeding in the roadside scrapes.  I counted at least 16.

Yesterday, I headed up to Sarnia for a change.  Things are getting more productive on the St. Clair River and at Sarnia with the more normal winter weather.

A Black-legged Kittiwake was found the day before off Canatara Park--an excellent January record.  I thought chances were slim for me to see it, but after some waiting, it showed off the lakewatch near the water plant!

It was quite distant though, but easily recognized.  It is one of very few January records in the area.  One was in Sarnia Bay December 2019, and just made it into January (I saw this one).  Another was off downtown Sarnia December 2010, and just into January 2011.  Indeed, the current bird was my latest sighting.

Also of note, was a large raft of Redhead ducks.  I really have no idea how many, but certainly over 5000.  There were some scaup mixed in, and perhaps something else, but it was 98% Redhead.

A Bald Eagle put them up a couple of times, creating quite a spectacle.  Note, the eagle in this photo:

Some would drift downstream then head back out.

Today, I did not do much, but we certainly got a lot more snow than what was forecast.  In the afternoon, I took a walk at Moore WMA.  Water levels were recently quite high, so there was ice under the snow.  I slipped and fell twice!  Some scenes:

We used to cross the river when the water is lower, but the large oak tree that fell and drifted down to the causeway, will make it impossible as seen in the above photos.

At one point, a Canadian Beaver swam downstream.

There were not many birds, although usually this is an excellent spot to find wintering birds, including Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Some American Tree Sparrows were working the weeds.

Staying indoors more the last few days, I took on a jigsaw puzzle.  It was a 1000-piece Sibley puzzle, but certainly the most difficult one I have ever done.  I was tempted to give up a couple of times, but true to my nature, I stuck it out.

No more Limpkin, as it was taken in by a rehabber a few days ago (not that I agree with that).  It would not have survived anyway with the recent weather.  Glad I went to see it when I did.  It was looking happy and healthy at that point.

Starting Out in 2024

As per tradition, many of us started out New Year's Day doing a Christmas Bird Count.  Locally, we do the St. Clair NWA CBC which always gives a good kick start to the new year with regards to birding.

I have been doing this count since 1990 as I recall.  Yellow-headed Blackbird sticks in my mind as one of the "decent" birds Steve Charbonneau and I saw within the Bradley property that year.

This year, I worked St. Luke's marsh (owned by Ducks Unlimited) once again.  I have been doing this one off and on, often by myself, for the last twenty years or so.  Adjacent to the wildlife area, it has much similar habitat.

This past Monday, the weather was certainly more decent than any of the previous CBC's this season.  The wind was a bit brisk out of the NW, making things uncomfortable along the lakeshore.  However, in more protected sections of the marsh, it was quite pleasant.  It started out very gloomy, but later we had bouts of that rare commodity call sun!

Just after I started walking, things started out with a bang as an adult Golden Eagle soared overhead.  Lighting was horrible, but I made sure it was not a young Bald!  Apparently there were two other sightings of Golden Eagle that morning in other territories, so possibly it was the same creature.

Like any other marsh, St. Luke's is getting choked out with phragmites, and that was all I could see in some sections.

View at the first opening

One section has exposed lakeshore, but with the brisk cold wind, the lake was choppy and there was virtually nothing on the water.  Usually it is ice, and it really should be at this time of year!

Just before leaving the exposed area, I took this photo looking north.

The last few years there has been some erosion, as I recall walking along here in past years.

There is a cross dyke in the middle which was thick with 'phrag' in most parts, but I made it through.  Early along this part, I heard the familiar chirp of a Common Yellowthroat.  I never did see it, but perhaps that was my second best bird behind the Golden Eagle.  Not surprising for this mild winter.

The only decent photo was one of three Ruddy Ducks that I saw.

My last walking section was that which parallels Townline Road.  I walked most of the way to the pumphouse, and had absolutely zero birds!  On the way back, the chit-chit of a Marsh Wren caught my attention.  Another decent bird, but not unexpected here.

I ended up with 31 species, a bit below average for here.  I am told the total count tally is well over 80 species, which is decent.  Waterfowl and waterbirds are a significant factor in this count.

Yesterday, I ventured down to Rondeau and Erieau to check off some birds for the 2024 list.  At the park, I only walked the campground and maintenance loop.  I managed to get the Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, which seems to be hanging out with three of its Myrtle cousins.  No photos as this day seemed to be terribly dark with the overcast skies.

Another Yellow-rumped was along the maintenance loop.

Over at Erieau, I wanted to get a look at the female Harlequin Duck.  I saw it right away, but it was a bit distant.

Last year, it took until December 31 to list a Harlequin Duck (this same bird)!, so it was nice to get on this one early in the year.

The marina had lots of birds, including two Pied-billed Grebes.  It was no good for photography, as this day seemed to be one of the gloomiest in recent memory.

There is a cormorant or two around Erieau, but for the life of me, I could not locate one yesterday.

I also walked the Erieau marsh trail while in the area.  Nothing noteworthy to my eyes there.

Today, I slept in for a change, and just checked out the St. Clair River.  It was virtually birdless!  The Northern Pintail was still swimming at Sombra.  It seems quite content there.

Manitowoc downbound at Seager Park

The sun finally came out this afternoon.  Been a long time since we have seen a sunny day!

Nothing new at the home feeders, but more House Finches seemed to have arrived yesterday.

Just east of Wallaceburg, the Bald Eagles continue to build their new nest.  Not sure why they need an upstairs!

Week of December 11 Notes And An Upcoming Bird Count

 The weather was fairly decent this week, but birding was at a snail's pace.

Tuesday I did something different and went to Middlesex County, stopping at Wardsville Woods and Skunk's Misery.  I knew there would not be many birds, but the day was clear and crisp--just nice to be out.

Only a handful of birds were at Wardsville Woods, the highlight being two Northern Flickers.

In the misery, I walked my favourite trail off Sassafras Road.  There is a nice creek along the trail, but early this past summer, the place was destroyed as someone figured it was necessary to dredge the creek.  It was always a good place in summer for insects, let alone birds.

In any case, this recent visit revealed a few birds.  Most were in one spot, including a few Pine Siskins, Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrows, chickadees and others.

Wednesday I did virtually nothing, as I had to be at home.

Thursday was another nice day, so I went down to Rondeau Park for a long walk.  I did the marsh trail to Long Pond.  Rondeau Bay was partly frozen, but lots of ducks out there in the middle.  A good number were wigeon and Redhead.

There were not too many birds along the way, but the highlight was two Greater White-fronted Geese.  They were distant, but I did my best to take a photo or two.

On my way back, they were gone!  However, I later learned that two white-fronts were at the Erieau marsh trail.  Obviously the same creatures.

Nothing really of note, but an Eastern Towhee was heard along the way.

After finishing the 10 km round trip, I slid over to the campground.  Most birds were around the north washroom as usual, but the were quite mobile. I kept going back to the spot, as I knew there had to be something of note.

I did briefly get a look at the wintering Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, but it quickly disappeared right before my eyes!

Hopefully it make the count on Sunday.  Two years ago we had one in the same location!

At one point I was sure one of the Yellow-rumped Warblers was the Audubon's.  I persevered. and eventually found it working some Red Cedars north of the washroom.  It has a distinctive "chup" note which drew me to it.

I did have looks at it, but it stayed buried in the cedar, eluding my camera.  It was seen again today by Steve.

Hopefully it will be seen Sunday for a nice addition to the Christmas Bird Count.

Brown Creeper

White-throated Sparrow with seed

Speaking of which, once again, the weather will be very crappy.  But, it is the WEEKEND!

Today was another fine day before the usual weekend weather arrives.  I just drove along the St. Clair River to Corunna.  Hardly a thing to see since times have changed with warmer winters.

There are quite a few gulls off Corunna's Guthrie Park.  I counted about 150 Herring Gulls at one point.

Hopefully we get some actual winter weather this season to concentrate gulls here.

A walk before getting home, was at Wilkesport.  I heard some Eastern Bluebirds at one point, so some must be wintering in the area once again.

Bald Eagles near here have been busy the last couple of days.  Today, I seen they are building an upper level to the new nest site!

November Closes, and a Different Warbler at Rondeau

 Birding this week was rather uneventful, at least until today.  Could not find anything of note!  With the cold weather, some bodies of water froze over the last couple of days.  However, today ended up quite warm, and was a nice day to be out birding.

Dryad's Saddle

I went to Rondeau Park this morning.  Birds have become few and far between now, except places like the campground where one might find a roaming group of birds.

South point trail was very quiet today, as it has been all week.  After Sunday's sighting of the Western Flycatcher (when I saw it), that was the very last time if was ever seen.  Despite many dedicated birders looking, the flycatcher simply vanished.

As usual per this time of year, I checked the campground.  I often park at the playground, then walk in, and today was no exception.  Just after walking in, I heard the familiar 'chup' notes of Yellow-rumped Warblers.  I always check them out, as there could be something with them, or even one of them could be an "Audubon's" type.

Today, it paid off.  I noticed one with a yellowish throat!  As well, the 'chup' note was a bit different than the usual.  And another feature is the plain-looking face and head.

It could likely be a female, as it is very pale.

I have seen two at Point Pelee, but this was my first for Rondeau.

I continued on through the campground and spent an hour there.  A good flock of sparrow types was around the north washroom, but nothing unusual.

Getting back to the south end, the warblers were still working the area.  Along with Jeremy Bensette, I watched them for about a half hour.  They moved around quite a bit, but stayed in the general area, as there seems to be lots of berries for them.

After getting my fill at Rondeau, I headed over to Erieau to check out the marsh trail.  There is a lot of mud there now, so any shorebird would be happy.

At least six Killdeer were there, and the lingering Pectoral Sandpiper.

Weather looks crappy the next few days, and Rondeau is closed on the weekend anyway, so we will see what happens.