East Side Birding

 While we have had some calm days, there have been many with brisk westerly winds, especially of late.

This past Saturday, I decided to head to Point Pelee for a change.  I wanted to see the long "Tip".  With the low water levels, the sand has been exposed at the Tip of Point Pelee and extends well over 1 km.  It is certainly the longest I have ever seen it, but one must take into consideration the erosion of the land mass as well.  Trees used to extend quite a bit farther out as I recall, since I have been visiting Point Pelee.

The winds were very brisk  out of the west upon my arrival, so I opted to head out Shuster Trail and walk down the east beach.  Just as well, since the road to the Tip was gated, when it is usually open this time of year.

It was an easy walk along the wide beach, except for one area where many trees were down.

There were lots of ducks on the lake.  A large number were Common Goldeneye.

A Killdeer was along the water's edge early on.  It eventually ended up working its way down to near the Tip.

Killdeer heading south near the "pilings"

One spot along the beach was quite eroded.

Upon arriving at Tip, an immature Iceland Gull was huddled up at the edge.  Obviously in some distress.

A couple of American Pipits were playing around on the beach.

I would have liked to walk out the sand spit, but it would have been rather risky to do so.  Though a friend of mine did!

He was interested in seeing if the White-rumped Sandpiper was still present at the very end.  It was....record late for Essex.  It is unknown why this bird has stuck around, never mind the harsh environment way out the sand spit!  

This photo turned out a bit blurry and does not give the situation justice.

Yesterday was the Blenheim/Rondeau Christmas Bird Count.  It was sunny and quite cold, but not really unusual for this time of year.  The big thing was the brisk west wind, making it feel even colder.  At least it was not heavy rain and high winds like the last two years!

I have been doing this count since the late 1980's, and have seen almost every type of weather.

I always start with a lakewatch at dog beach.  One is a bit exposed there to the winds, so it was quite uncomfortable this time around.  I could only handle it for about twenty minutes!  There was not a lot moving on the lake anyway, so I had to move on.

The lake was not all that rough, as seen in the photos, but it sure was cold!

I changed my route a bit this year, cutting out to the beach at the light beacon, and walking down to the trail washout, and back the trail.  It was just to try and get out of the brisk WNW wind first thing.

Interesting to look at the layers of sand deposited over the years. Almost like counting tree rings.

Of course, I came across that tree that is stuck in the sand.  One can only wonder when this tree fell.

Another exposed fallen tree buried long ago:

There were not many birds to count on this walk.

I arrived back at the car for a break, and beside me, was a Pileated Woodpecker!  (see header photo as well).

I was up for more walking, but there was hardly a bird to be found.  I walked back the old Dillon trail to the big slough.

The once-drivable road is getting more and more difficult to discern anymore.

Then it was up Harrison to the VC.  Unbelievably, there was not a single bird on that stretch!

Along the way I found this fallen nest.  Not yet quite sure what bird made this, but it is well made.

Walking back the road, it was nicely out of the wind, and there were a few birds, but not many.

I ended up with 32 species, below average indeed.

The entire count is at 101 species last I heard.  I do not think there was anything spectacular found, but there were some nice finds though.

Birds have resorted to eating snow!

Frosty Days and a Pelee Visit

Prior to today, we had some nice, but cold days.  The skies have been clear and mornings frosty.

milkweed pod

Friday I  decided to go to Point Pelee--a fine day to be out.  Very few landbirds around right now, but tens of thousands of ducks were on the lake.  Large numbers of scaup and scoters (white-winged) are around.  The end of Shuster Trail always has lots of Common Goldeneye.  This is where they congregate in big numbers for some reason.  However, walking along the beach would be difficult with all the erosion.

All ponds were frozen due to the cold (as they should be this time of year), as seen along De Laurier trail.

The most interesting thing I noted was the presence of American Pipits.  They were in various places along the main road, trails and in the woods.  Perhaps they were blown in with the strong west wind on Thursday.

While in the area of the Tip, I always check the outside of the washroom walls.  Various bats tend to hang around in the corners.  This day, a Silver-haired Bat was there.

I walked out a bit of Hillman Marsh before heading home.  Several pipits were there as well in the boardwalk area.

Nearer home, there was not much to see as I passed through the old Dover Township, but one field held well over 1000 Tundra Swans.

With the clear skies, astronomy enthusiasts would have attempted to check out the Geminid meteor shower Friday night.  However, the near-full moon was just too bright to see much.

Sunday was the annual Blenheim/Rondeau Christmas Bird Count.  Seems to be a trend as it was ditto to last year with windy conditions and lots of rain. Not much to say about it though, as I did south point trail east.  Hardly a landbird to be found!  Lake was active, especially with White-winged Scoters.  I did not cover as much as I would have liked.  After getting soaked to the bone, and no relief in sight with the rain, I left early.  Very disappointing, as I look forward to this count and spending lots of time there.

Scene of south point trail

Little Gull to Splitgill, and a "Block" in Between

 This past Thursday, I visited Erieau, Keith McLean C. L. and Blenheim lagoons.  Rondeau Bay is chocked full of ducks as it usually is this time of year.  I scoped some from the platform at the Erieau marsh trail.   I suspected that there would be a Eurasian Wigeon out there, but I could not find one from that vantage point.  (The next day, Steve found one while viewing from the fire hall!).

I next slid over to Keith McLean C. L.  There were fewer Dunlin than the previous visit, and a lot less other birds as well.  Nothing of note (I tried!).

Over at Blenheim lagoons, Bonaparte's Gulls were quite numerous.  Finally, something different was with them in the form of a Little Gull.  It was never close, so did not co-operate for a good photo.

On the pond, it was difficult to pick out. 

While there, a dark bird caught my attention.  Initial thought from a distance was European Starling, but a closer look (plus the call note) revealed it to be an American Pipit.  It was certainly a sooty-looking bird, something I have never seen before, at least with that species of bird.  I did not attempt to get a decent photo!

I guess something weird happened with that bird, and perhaps it was melanistic.

The afternoon was still young as I headed home, so swung over to Mitchell's Bay for one last walk of the day.  It was rather quiet along the south shore nature trail, but I keep trying as potential for something good is always there!

The dock

View towards St. Anne's Island

Friday, I needed a change in direction, so headed up to north Lambton.  I was up early, and noticed the old moon in the sky.  I thought it was interesting.  I made the mistake of taking a photo through the window, hence the double flash.

I first stopped by the "Point Edward Lighthouse" at the mouth of Lake Huron.  Nothing of note on a gentle west wind there.

I ventured on up to Ipperwash and decided to do a lakewatch at beach access one.  Some Dunlin were moving, and quite a few loons.  Most loons were Red-throated.  You never know what will show up on Lake Huron.....two alcids this past week!!

I walked through the woods behind the MNR parking lot, but it was rather quiet.  Lots of Winterberry Holly, but no Pine Grosbeaks to take advantage of it!

I stopped by Forest lagoons on the road home.  Some ducks were in, including lots of Bufflehead.  One was a pale brown, which stood out.

A couple of Long-tailed Ducks were on the lagoon as well. Not often seen in a lagoon setting!  Note the one with the Bufflehead in above photo.

The sparrows have left, but a single Marsh Wren was still Hiding in the reeds.

It was quite warm by the afternoon.  I stopped for one last walk at Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport.  Insects were out, including a Cabbage White, and an Autumn Meadowhawk among other things.

As well, this spanworm moth was taking advantage of the balmy day.

This American Tree Sparrow posed briefly.

Today it was a local day.  I stopped by the St. Clair River at Port Lambton first thing, for a bit.

Joseph L. Block

Not often we see this vessel on the St. Clair River.  Usually sails Lake Michigan.

A bit later, I went for a long walk at Reid CA.  I did not get any photos of birds, but a Golden Eagle was indeed a highlight.  Several Fox Sparrows were in company of tree sparrows, juncos and a Field Sparrow.

Some wild Canadian Ginger is still quite green.  It is very abundant throughout Reid.

There are some very large trees at Reid.  I admired this oak in the "lilly bush", which may be Shumard.  

This small fungus caught my eye. Size of a nickel, for reference.

Splitgill Mushroon