Birds 'n Things Around Rondeau

Things really kicked in with migrants this week.  I spent four nights camping at Rondeau Park starting on Monday.  However, birding was quite slow to start, but I wandered around the park in various locations that day.

A casual walk down south point trail in the afternoon west revealed the odd birds.

Blackburnian Warbler

A Blandings Turtle made an appearance in one of the sloughs.

In mid-afternoon I was bored!  Not expecting much at Keith McLean C. L., I took a look anyway.  I stumbled upon a Black-necked Stilt to liven things up!

I suppose it is not entirely surprising one showed up, since they seem to be more an more regular each year.

Weather was nice, so I walked out marsh trail that evening.  It too was slow with birds, but a Clay-colored Sparrow was a nice find.

Tuesday was a little better, and if fact, each day this week was successively better for birds.  South point trail east has not been producing much, but after checking that out, I heard the local celebrity calling near the VC.

Since late April, a Northern Bobwhite has been working the east side.  I stopped to look around and found it calling atop the rail at the boardwalk near the VC. Obviously a released/escaped creature.

In the afternoon, "Bob" was at dog beach calling.

It was nice to hear and see since there are probably no legitimate wild birds left in Ontario.  Walpole Island was the last holdout, but I would suspect they are no longer there.  The last one I heard on Walpole was around 2005, but across the Snye when I was working at the marina.

In early evening, I took a leisurely stroll and came across some Goldenseal.   I knew its approximate location as I had seen it years ago, but it was nice to see a patch of it.

It is a threatened plant in Ontario.

Wednesday was somewhat uneventful, but added some more first-of-year birds.

This Pileated was showing well at one point.

More Goldenseal.

Thursday May 11 was a really good day especially for warblers.  Harrison trail/Bennett area was hopping with passerines!  I added quite a few first-of-year birds.

Cape May Warbler

In the afternoon, I went over to Blenheim lagoons to add some shorebirds to the week's list.  The previously-reported Wilson's Phalarope was not present, but lots of other stuff.  Both dowitcher types were present to brush up on one's ID skills between the two.  I was too lazy to carry a camera though!

In the evening, Steve and I walked out marsh trail since it was such a nice day.  It was a bit quiet, and strangely, we did not get any rails (must have taken the day off!).  Four Least Bitterns and four American Bitterns, as well as six Great Egrets were good for the list.

Oddly, despite the good fallout of warblers in the park that day, there were none out marsh trail.

Friday morning was looking good for a "morning flight" watch at the park store.  In recent years, we have taken advantage of this to observe birds exiting the park.  It is quite interesting and sometimes amazing to see what is actually migrating out.  Hundreds of birds are usually noted.

There were oodles of warblers, including high numbers of Cape May, Blackburnian, and Northern Parula.

A Black Tern was a good sight, and many Bobolinks were on the move.

However, one has to be quick on ID since they move at rapid pace.  Learning chip notes helps, but many go undetermined!

Once again, Harrison and Bennett were good for observing warblers at low altitude.  We saw our first Blackpoll and Canada of the season for example.

Bay-breasted Warbler

The odd Clay-colored Sparrow has been popping up here and there.

Before this week began, I did visit Rondeau on Sunday and managed to catch up with an Evening Grosbeak.  It was a gloomy day, so photo leaves a bit to be desired.

It is not often we see them in the spring, but those that head south in the fall must come back!

Today, Saturday, I stayed around home.  I managed to come across a Golden-winged Warbler at Port Lambton's Brander Park.  It was nice to see and hear this declining species.

Looks like things continued to pick up at Rondeau today, as Summer Tanagers and others have been seen!  (Just my luck).  I will be back at the park on Monday after recharging here at home over the weekend.

And So It Begins...Finally

 We finally received more acceptable weather starting yesterday, May 5.  It was obvious that an influx of migrants would appear, and we were not disappointed.  Many overdue species were added to our annual lists.

Back on Thursday May 4, it was still cool, but better than it had been.  I checked out Rondeau Park, Erieau Marsh trail, McGeachy Pond trail and Blenheim lagoons (2X!).

Blanding's Turtle at Erieau

A decent flock of Long-billed Dowitchers had been frequenting the lagoons, but they were hit and miss.  They would disappear to parts unknown for a while, then return.  I missed them earlier in the day, as well as later in the day!  However, on my second visit, I did manage to see three of them.

Friday was more normal in a sense for this time of year.  Many warblers, sparrows, orioles, etc. had dropped in.  I checked out south point east at first light, then moved up to the start of marsh trail to observe the "morning flight".  A good number of warblers and other birds were exiting the park as they typically do with an easterly component to the wind.  It is actually a fun experience to observe this, but you have to be quick on ID!

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

I missed an Evening Grosbeak that stopped by at the VC feeder, and perhaps the same individual later in Bate's subdivision.  I decided to leave the park just after 1:00 when the grosbeak was seen again!  Hopefully another will make an appearance for me!

Later in the morning, a pair of Willets was resting on the east beach.

Today, I decided to stay local.  Just as well since probably nothing new awaited me at Rondeau. It is nice to check out things around home at this time of year.

Baltimore Oriole at my feeder

First thing, I stopped by Brander Park, Port Lambton.  A few things came in, but not as much as I had expected.  A Great-crested Flycatcher was a FOY there.

It was such a nice day, I went up to Reid CA.  I spent the better part of three hours there!  A good number of birds had dropped in.  I ended up with nine species of warblers, and some were in multiples.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Blue-headed Vireo

Most things were in the "Lilly Bush", so I spent almost two hours there.  While chasing the warblers, I heard some croaks to the north.  I thought it had to be  Raven, and soon I saw it being chased by four American Crows.  It never came close.

Ravens are rather regular in Lambton anymore, especially in the north part, and are not considered "rare" on eBird.

The most notable warbler was a Bay-breasted.  They typically show up a bit later in migration, so this one was exceptional.  Probably the earliest one I have seen, and perhaps the earliest for Lambton.  I was unable to get a photo, unfortunately.

Peers Wetland had a few things as well, including an Ovenbird and a couple of Black-and-white Warblers.

A Solitary Sandpiper was new for the year there, but eluded the camera.

This creature was lurking around:

Peers Prowler

The Winds of Lake Erie

 Spent some time lakewatching each day this weekend, as there were some stiff winds.  However, yet again it was in the non-productive category!  One always hopes for rarities or something of interest.....

Both Friday and Saturday lakewatches were at Rondeau's dog beach.  Saturday was a little more active, but basic birds only.  One of these days.....

Sunday, I needed a change in scenery so went to Point Pelee on a stiff SW wind.  I just cannot get the right day for a good lakewatch!  I am either at the wrong place (eg. on Lake Huron), or cannot get there on a good day.  Oh well.

Keith McLean C. L. was decent on Friday.  Lots of shorebirds, including the long-staying Long-billed Dowitcher.

Lots of White-rumped Sandpipers have been around this fall, and a few were still present on Friday.

Nelson's Sparrows are still around, but are good at eluding my camera lens.

Blenheim lagoons has dropped off for shorebirds in recent weeks, but a couple of late birds have been present.

This sandpiper was "spotted" this past Thursday, and was still there on Friday.

In the same area, this swallow was on the "bank" of the cell.

Saturday was a rather slow day at Rondeau, at least in the woods.  Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers were around, plus a few others mixed in.  This Northern Parula was no doubt camera shy.

Colours are getting nice in the park.

Sunday, was good at Point Pelee for passerines, after the lakewatch.  De Laurier was hopping with birds along the back canal.

Some late things included Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow Warbler, among others.  

Bay-breasted Warbler

Maybe a second Bay-breasted!

Yellow Warbler

I stood in one spot for an hour since it was so active!

After covering the park, I went over to Hillman Marsh, not expecting to see much.  Looked for some late butterflies, and a few Common Checkered-skippers were around the shorebird cell.

The surprise of the day popped up at the backside of the shorebird cell, a Harris's Sparrow!  Been a while since I have seen one, and certainly not on my self-found list till then.

I could not get a clear photo of it through the tree branches unfortunately.  Also, I was looking into the sun.

It appeared to stay in the area, as local birder Rick Mayos managed to find it some time later.

Speaking of winds on Lake Erie, I came across something of interest to boatnerds.  On October 20, 1916 a fierce wind blew across Lake Erie. It claimed at least three ships, one being the "whaleback" freighter James B. Colgate (built in 1892).  This event became known as the Black Friday Storm.

The gale-force winds were too much for the steamer, as water leaked through hatches, eventually causing the ship to founder off Long Point.  Only the captain survived, being found almost two days later in a raft.

What caught my interest, is that I have a few photos of the Colgate in my collection.  I do not know where they came from or who took them, but obviously they were taken at some point before this event.

Some Early November Birding Rondeau Area

With anticipation of decent weather (for a change), I headed down to Rondeau Park early this morning as a finch invasion is underway.  Sure seemed strange to not be dodging rain!  The weather was bad all week ( with way too much rain), opposite to what it has been all year.

I birded throughout the morning with Steve Charbonneau, starting with a bit of a lakewatch at dog beach first thing.
Not much was moving today, as the lake was calm.  We did see a few loons and at least one Red-throated Loon among the ducks and a few Horned Grebes.
A couple of Common Redpolls flew over as we were leaving the beach, starting our finch list for the day.
Along south point trail, a few Pine Siskins were moving as well as several Purple Finches.
Yellow-rumped Warblers have thinned out considerably, making it easier to spot some other late warblers.

At one spot, Steve noticed a tardy Cape May Warbler.

This same spot held a Northern Parula, which was very active but never posed for a photo.
At one point I thought I saw a Nashville as well (it may well have been).

Now that it is November, the campground is closed for camping, and birders have free reign. Late fall is the best time for checking this locale and many good birds can be found.  It is a must stop on each visit this time of year.
Early on, we heard the first Evening Grosbeak of the day.  Although Steve was one lane over, I managed to get a good look at the bird as it flew northward.  I never got a photo of one today, so an old photo will have to suffice. Target bird of the day achieved!

There were a few Yellow-rumped Warblers in the area, but the best warbler of the day was a Bay-breasted.  It was very active, so no decent photo was obtained.

It was near the north end, and in the very tree I found the Townsend's Warbler last year--the only day it was seen WITHIN the park.
The Bay-breasted may be record late for Rondeau, but I have no other information at this time.

Lots of Cedar Waxwings were around, but their cousin that sports a cinnamon butt was nowhere to be found.  I have faith that one will be seen soon!

Three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were together in the campground which was interesting to see.

A couple always spend the winter here, so perhaps these may stay.

We then moved to Water Street near marsh trail where a number of birds were actively feeding.  A lingering Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was still present.  Also, another three Evening Grosbeaks briefly made their presence known.

The Great Kiskadee was looking good near the curve in Water Street.  There are still many birdwatchers seeking this rarity.

Later, I headed over to Erieau and checked out McGeachy Pond dike.  This is another good spot at this time of year, for whatever reason.
A number of birds were present, but at one point I was going to stand on one of the docks, when I flushed an interesting bird.
It was only a brief view, but I instantly knew it was a nightjar!  It gave a sound when flushed and my initial impression was Whip-poor-will.
I alerted Steve and he came over within a half hour.  We checked the same area, and luck was with us, as the bird flushed again.  We got a fairly decent view to confirm it as a Whip-poor-will!

Strangely, back on 4 November 2012 (the last good finch year!) we saw one at Rondeau park which was record late.

I checked out Blenheim Lagoons before heading home.  Shorebirds have thinned out considerably since last weekend.  About 20 Greater Yellowlegs and one Lesser were present among Dunlin.  At least one White-rumped and a possible Semipalmated Sandpiper (never got a decent look) were still hanging around.
The two Trumpeter Swans were still in the area as well.

Sunday I will be heading in the opposite direction which should prove interesting.

Sunset at Mitchell's Bay this past week