Spring Influx!

 Saturday was an excellent day to be out looking for birds, and local birders took advantage of the big influx of blackbirds, waterfowl and others.  The writing was on the wall Friday, with the incoming warm weather and brisk southwest winds.

I went out to the St. Clair River to see what was around.  Some of the wintering ducks have already dispersed, but more "puddle" ducks were evident such as wigeon and Gadwall.  

I first did a stationary river-watch at Port Lambton.  There was a lot of activity of ducks on the move.  Lots of Mallard and wigeon and others.

Two separate pairs of Trumpeter Swans were on the move.  Too distant for photos though.  They still are considered rare on eBird, but they really should be removed as rare for Lambton.  Too many sightings anymore.  They are not "rare" in Chatham-Kent, where there seems to be fewer sightings.

I spent some time south of Sombra around Fawn Island as well.  Several wigeon and gadwall were here.

American Wigeon in ice

Looks like more Ring-necked Ducks came in as well.

Just before I took off from there, six Double-crested Cormorants flew by too close to even get the camera on them.  No doubt some rather early migrants, since none were in that area all winter.

Thousands of waterfowl came in with this influx, as noted by birders from Essex County in the south to north Lambton.  Northern Pintail certainly arrived in numbers with hundreds reported.  Just before I got home along Langstaff Line, I saw a flock of pintail circling.  Probably in the neighbourhood of fifty birds.

Blackbirds arrived by the thousands, lots of Robins, and even some Eastern Meadowlarks here and there.  Song Sparrows can be included as well, with good numbers arriving.

Today was similar with decent numbers of birds reported.  I went to Hillman Marsh and Point Pelee, but did not find anything of note.  I got my first Eastern Towhee of the year (none wintered!) at Pelee, and some of those can be included in the influx.

Scene along De Laurier trail

Scene along Cactus Trail

I stopped by Hillman Marsh first thing and checked the shorebird cell.  There is a bit of water at the east end where I found hundreds of ducks.  Over 300 Mallards and over 100 pintail there among others.

Friday I went to Rondeau and Erieau for a change.  The "influx" had not yet arrived so not much to report!

At the park, it was threatening rain, and it did eventually rain as I was creeping around.

The Gray Catbird was still present at Erieau's marsh trail, but unfortunately my camera malfunctioned at the most inconvenient time!

It was a somewhat foggy day, so I think some fog got into the camera.  That is my excuse anyway!

I saw a couple of White-crowned Sparrows here, which astonishingly, were my first-of-year.

Saw some of those prickly cucumbers again along the trail.

Trail Scene

This past Tuesday, I was out to the river on another gloomy day.  Some White-winged Scoters were between Sombra and Port Lambton.

Quite a bit of waterfowl around Fawn Island, including some wigeon.

Many of the ducks were snoozing though.  Still no more hybrids!

Wednesday was yet another foggy day, as  I went out to Lake St. Clair area.

Of course the Bay was still frozen, but water levels are certainly low.  

There is mud showing off the dock at the south shore trail.

I came back to Wallaceburg on gravel roads.  Quite a few Tundra Swans were at the north end of Baldoon Road.  On the other side of the road, the only thing in the corn field was a lone Trumpeter Swan.  It was quite distant though in poor light.

I guess it was not allowed to join the Tundras!

With the warmer weather now here, we will more birds to look for each day.  Been a long winter!

Algonquin Visit: No Shortage of Rain!

 Sunday, I headed up to Algonquin Park for my annual visit.  I took the usual route and arrived after a 5.5h drive.  The weather was nice on Sunday, but it went downhill from there.  My usual bad luck followed me.....again!

As always, it was just nice to be in Algonquin.  I fought rain and drizzle from Monday to Wednesday, but made the best of it.  Birds were not plentiful and I only got one of the specialties despite a valiant effort.  I added some year birds, and a some new birds for my Algonquin list.

For some reason, the Black-backed Woodpeckers disappeared and have been virtually absent since mid summer.  Where do they go?  Canada Jays are getting scarcer, and Boreal Chickadees are virtually absent from the Highway 60 corridor anymore.  Crossbills are not around this fall.

I did not carry the camera much of the time since it was either rain or drizzle under gloomy skies.

As always, my first walk was on the old railway bed off Arowhon Road.  Certainly a popular spot, as many people come here.  It was certainly a bit quiet for birds compared to last year.

Trees are turning colours

I did add a flyover Evening Grosbeak, which I was quite pleased about.

I met Mike Runtz at one point, and he indicated that a Spruce Grouse was in the area less than a half hour earlier.  I never saw it though!

Some insects included odes.

Canada Darner (lots!)

Autumn Meadowhawks

spreadwing sp.  (probably identifiable, but camera would not focus)

Another  things such as the common Eastern Calligrapher.

To kill some time before heading to Mew Lake, I stopped by the Cache Lake boat launch.  Here, as described in past posts, is where the famous Highland Inn and Park Headquarters were along the railroad.  Always interesting.

remnants--the steps to nowhere

After another walk was on Two Rivers trail. There is a nice cliff view.

I then headed into the Mew Lake campground across the road.  I checked out the old airfield first thing since I knew the weather was going to go into the toilet the rest of the trip.

Good thing, as insects were flying which would be absent the rest of the trip.

I found some American Coppers (at least six).

Other butterflies included a single Monarch (high-flying!) and some Clouded Sulphurs.

(photo from the past)

At the outlet of Two Rivers, there are always American Black Ducks.

But there was an American Wigeon as well, quite uncommon in the park.  It was a new bird for my Algonquin list.  Not close, but I attempted a photo.

Sunday evening, the clouds rolled in and thunder could be heard. We had a very heavy rain during the night which kept me awake.

Monday morning, I walked the old airfield again, not turning up much.  There were oodles of Yellow-rumped Warblers, as was the case the whole trip.  Certainly more plentiful than in past trips.  

Some other warblers were mixed in during the trip including, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Black-throated Green, Tennessee and even an Orange-crowned.  Lots of Palm Warblers and a few Pine as well.

I then headed to Spruce Bog Boardwalk in hopes of seeing Spruce Grouse.  I was not disappointed!  However, lighting was horrible due to the doom and gloom weather.  ISO had to be set at maximum, hence photo quality poor.

These tame creatures are not too bothered by your presence.

Since I was in that direction, I headed over to the Logging Museum trail.  Nothing really of note, except Tennessee Warbler had turned "rare" on the eBird list!

one of the displays

With a break in the rain, although there was mostly drizzle when not raining, I walked Bat Lake Trail. 

 It is an excellent birding trail (usually!).  In the past, I have had good luck with all the specialties on this trail.  Unfortunately, Boreal Chickadee (for example) is almost a thing of the past along the highway 60 corridor.

The out-of-place boulder I always photograph!

I did add another new species for my park list in the form of a Green-winged Teal.

I saw a "year bird" which was a Ruffed Grouse.

(there is a grouse in this cellphone photo!)

Near the end of the trail, I found a good pocket of warblers, including a Blackpoll and Bay-breasted which were now "rare" on eBird.  (I think their filter should be adjusted!).

While having an expensive lunch at Two Rivers Store, some Wild Turkeys were foraging across the road.  They are becoming more regular in Algonquin.  I think this was a new bird for my list as well.

Not wanting to go anywhere else while it threatened rain, I walked the old airfield again.  Out on the lake, I found the Horned Grebe which had previously been reported.  Rather uncommon in the park, and a first for my park list.  I have seen Red-necked Grebe before though!

Tuesday morning, I met up with Kevin Gevaert who works in the park.  I have known Kevin for some time since he used to work at Rondeau Park.  We checked out the old airfield.

Nothing of note, but lots of American Pipits were circling around.

I then decided to walk the old railway bed off Arowhon Road again.  I found it rather quiet.  I did see another Green-winged Teal though!

Before lunch, I checked out the trailer sanitation station area.  A portage trail is here, which I had not been to in many years.  I always used to check this place out and it seemed good for birds.  (had Boreal Chickadee there once).  However, it was quiet this time.

Then I walked Big Pines trail, which was almost birdless.  No doubt weather was a factor!

Saw this plant along the way which seemed to stick out.

Bluebead Lily

After lunch, it was to the old airfield again, then after supper yet another walk on the airfield.  Just the usuals.

Wednesday morning was quite rainy (nothing new there) as I packed things up for the drive home.  I walked the old airfield before leaving Mew Lake in the rain (no choice!).  The only thing new was a second American Wigeon.  Both were seen together.

Heading west, I stopped by Tea Lake Dam picnic area for a look.

Here is where the artist Tom Thompson camped at one point.  There is an interpretive sign giving the information.

The drive home was uneventful without rain of course, and the weather got better the closer I got to home......naturally.

The evening was spent trying to get things dried out....

Ice Fog! And a Ramble Through Reid Conservation Area

 A frosty start to the morning greeted us today.  In fact, we had some thick ice fog that coated everything.  I had intentions of driving along the St. Clair River, but visibility was limited.

At the Sombra dock, a male American Wigeon was new to the crowd.

I decided to get away from the river, but it was still quite foggy when I set out for a walk at Reid CA.

Everything was coated in frost.

Much of the property was flooded during the high water last week, but most has drained away.

It was very still and quiet as I walked through the woods.  A Pileated Woodpecker called loudly as it worked a tree.  As big and loud as they are, they can hide quite well.  I never did see it, but its haunting voice sure carried a long distance!

I looked for odd things to photograph during my walk.

This tree with a twist is always seen on my route through the woods.  I noticed this one many years ago, but the tree is now dead, so will not last much longer.

One area contains many American Beech trees.  This one was hollow, as many of them are.

A fallen tree was oozing moisture, forming a coloured icicle.

There are various mosses on the property (not my department!).  Here is one that I believe to be Delicate Fern Moss.

And, of course various fungi.

Pear-shaped Puffball

a bracket fungus

And, not to mention lichens.

Common Greenshield Lichens

I walked along the river at the high point of the property, which is one of my favourite spots in all seasons.  There is a sharp bend here. The river used to go straight in ancient times, hence the low valley on the property.

Looking Upriver

Looking Downriver

Another scene along the old river course.

Later in the morning the sun finally showed as the fog had burned off.  In the afternoon I took advantage of the clear skies and went for a drive.  It was such a rare day of sun for this winter, it was quite enjoyable.

A Bald Eagle was soaking up some sun at Cathcart Park, while a local tug was taking advantage of the ice-less river.

Finally a nice day!