River Runs, Skunk's Misery, Pinery Visit

Late Friday I checked out the St. Clair River to Corunna.  The best spots presently are Cathcart Park and Guthrie Park.  Warm water outflows have left the river partially open at these locations during the recent cold spell.

The adult Trumpeter Swan was still visible at Cathcart Park, but I did not have the camera on hand.
There was quite a variety of waterfowl here, including more Tundra Swans.

I got to Corunna by sunset, then went on into Sarnia.  A coyote was crossing the ice to Stag Island, but really out of range for the camera.

South of Sarnia just before dark, I saw this Red Fox bounding across a field.

Saturday morning I decided to check the river again.  The immature Trumpeter Swan (at least I think so) was visible at Cath's Cart Park among some Tundras and many Mutes.  It is one of the more odd-looking swans I have ever seen.

There was nothing else of note visible, but there is open water all the up to the OC outflow.  Much of it is not accessible or one cannot get a good view due to the trees in front of OC Industries.

A pair of Bald Eagles was frolicking around here.

There was lots to see at Guthrie Park, Corunna.  Early on, a Greater White-fronted Goose made an appearance.  Nice to see this time of year!  One was at Sarnia earlier in January, so this is likely the same individual as things have frozen solid there.

Lots of Long-tailed Ducks were present, as well as many other species.

Long-tailed Ducks

I headed back south and drove the entire length of Oil Springs Line to where it passes the Sydenham Nature Reserve.  There were dozens of Horned Larks, some Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs along the way.  Also , lots of Dark-eyed Juncos and some other sparrows.  It is a good road to check out during the peak of winter.

I headed into the Mosa Forest area (Skunk's Misery) and drove around.  My hope was to view a Golden Eagle, but that never materialized!  They winter in this area, but I guess it is just luck to come across one.
I walked one trail and found some birds.  Included were a number of American Robins and two Hermit Thrushes.

The Hermit Thrushes did not co-operate for photos very well.

Sunday, a change in scenery was in order, so I headed up to Pinery Provincial Park.  The visitor feeder setup is the best place to see a variety of birds.  It did not disappoint.

Many squirrels were taking advantage of the spilled seed.

Highlight was an "Oregon" Junco.  Been some time since I have seen one!

The wintering White-throated Sparrow made an appearance as well.

Lots of Pine Siskins were busy at the nyjer feeders, as were a few Common Redpolls.

Many Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were around as well.

At one point, a flock of about 65 Cedar Waxwings came in to feed in the cedars.  Alas, no Bohemians with them.

One more walk for the day was at Ausable River Cut CA.  It was quite pleasant as the sun had come out, unusual for a weekend.
I found a good pocket of birds which included a timid Hermit Thrush.

A pair of Carolina Wrens was also in the group, along with many chickadees, titmice and nuthatches.

Turned out to be a decent weekend with especially with the rare nice weather.

Wallaceburg CBC 2016

Today, December 27, was the Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count.  This count has been ongoing since 1986 and I have participated in all but the first!
It turned out fairly well, but "landbirds" were rather scarce.  Yesterday we had 12 degrees and heavy rain which got rid of all the snow!  Colder weather and a bit of snow always seems to help this count.
I did my usual area (everything south of Langstaff Line) and started at Bear Creek Marsh.  That is always a good starting point, but it is also a popular spot for hunters to launch their craft on the Snye.  Usually there is nobody there, but 15 trucks with trailers made parking at a premium!

We started off with a couple of good birds including a Belted Kingfisher (normal for there) and a flyover Snowy Owl. Some Red-winged Blackbirds flew over.

creek west of Wallaceburg at the Bishop property

I went off on my own and sent Janet and Patrick to do the area south of Wallaceburg.
One of my walks revealed a flock of 6 American Robins.

It is a Pied-billed!

Along the Snye adjacent to St. Anne's Island, I found 3 Pied-billed Grebes.  There were actually quite a few grebes recorded on the count today.  As a side note, recently, I found an error in eBird maps which indicates St. Anne's Island is in Chatham-Kent. However, it is part of Walpole Island in Lambton County. Hopefully that will be corrected some day in the future.




There was not much at Stewart Wetland due to the early winter which sent things elsewhere. However, a lone Long-tailed Duck (as well as a drake Redhead) were on the Snye to make things interesting. Not often we see one off the St. Clair River.

A pair of Northern Harriers was in the area as well.

male feeding on something

Not far away, I found a good variety of birds at the property where I used to work.  Included was a Tufted Titmouse.
There is a small pond there which I remember used to attract an incredible number and variety of ducks in the early spring.

Down Langstaff Line, I found the group of 18 Sandhill Cranes.  Luckily they had stuck around! There was only one other Sandhill on the count, on Walpole Island.

The rest of my day was not too eventful.

female Harrier feeding on a mouse

The count saw some good birds such as a Northern Mockingbird and Brown Thrasher on Walpole Island, a Black Scoter on the big river and an American Woodcock at McKellar Tract.  The woodcock was a first for this count.  22 Snow Geese on Walpole was a new and significant high.

Total species tallied was 82 as revealed at the compilation and meal at Vermilion Flycatcher headquarters (Georgette Cornelis residence!).

January Birding at Rondeau Park

I headed down to Rondeau for the first time in over two weeks.  Birding was pretty good, but the usual dismal weather persisted.  Although the sun came out briefly at home late this afternoon, I guess sun on weekends is a thing of the past!


I started at the VC feeders where photography was virtually impossible with my equipment under gloomy skies.  A number of birds were coming to the feeder setup including some Purple Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds and 2 Fox Sparrows.  I saw only one of the Fox Sparrows first thing.


I then headed down to Dog Beach and met up with Jim Burk.  At the cars, a Common Loon flew over--decent for this time of year and needless to say a first for the year.
We then walked south point trail which was not bad as it was out of the relentless wind.  A couple more Purple Finches made a showing.
 An American Robin was on the trail, but there are lots everywhere this winter.

Just past the 'S' curve, we turned to look at a White-throated Sparrow, while an American Woodcock flushed on the other side of the trail.  Another decent January bird!  We never saw it, but farther down the trail we found these tracks. I believe they are from a woodcock.  Interestingly, I mentioned to Jim a bit earlier that it was a good day for woodcock--the feeling was in the air!

Another stop at the visitor centre saw more birds plus Steve Charbonneau.
Purple Finches kept coming in!  At least ten were there.

We saw the two Fox Sparrows, a few Red-winged Blackbirds and several other species.

Up Lakeshore Road, even more Purple Finches flew over while we were looking for the Eastern Towhee Steve saw the other day.

I walked down Harrison Trail past pony barn area and found a nice flock of birds, including a Hermit Thrush.  Yet another flock of Purple Finches was present at that location.

I met up with Jim Burk again and we walked the campground.  It has been unusually quiet this winter. Normally it is the best spot this time of year. While there, another flock of about 20 Purple Finches flew over.  We have to wonder where they all came from as there were none for some time. In fact, I think today I saw more Purple Finches than I have ever seen in one day at Rondeau.

We talked about redpolls which never materialized this winter in SW Ontario. There were a few flyovers in late November into December, but that was it.

On the way to Blenheim, I checked out Stefina Line and the ditch/creek where the mysterious Wilson's Snipe resides. I think it is only a weekday bird, as I can never find it.  Although I have seen one there in past winters, lately it is a no-show for me.  This little creek never freezes, even in the coldest winters, so it is a cozy spot for a snipe.
The only thing of interest was this kitten in the ditch beside the road.  It looked clean and healthy, so may have been left there.

Today I also checked out McGeachy Pond and Erieau's marsh trail.  Another robin and a couple of White-throated Sparrows were along the pond's dike.
The relentless wind kept birds to a minimum along the marsh trail.  Out on the ice I picked out a Herring X Great Black-backed Gull, which is likely the one that has been seen near the landfill.
Near the landfill, some gulls have been hanging out.  Today I saw a Glaucous Gull, FOY.  One can only hope for a Slaty-backed or something along that lines!

It was a decent day of birding, but only if that sun would appear for a change......