Usual Weekend Birding (October 27-28)

Lately I have been sticking to Rondeau area for birding, and this weekend was no exception.  Also the same was the weather.  It is getting ridiculous to say this every weekend, but right on cue, the weather turned crappy late Friday (after a nice week) for the weekend.  Saturday was horrible but I went out anyway with no other choice.  This year is certainly one for the record books with regards to (terrible) weekend weather!

I started watching the lake at Rondeau even though the weather was horrid.  There was a strong east wind, but not much was moving in that crap.  I did spot a young Little Gull as a highlight.  I find these direct strong east winds produce little at Rondeau.
I then moved on to south point where it actually stopped raining. I walked to the washout, then it started raining again since I was at the farthest point from the car.
Some birds were near the end of the trail since it was out of the wind.  Many species of sparrows were along the path.

chippie

Warblers including the usual Yellow-rumped and an Orange-crowned and a couple of Blackpoll.

I checked around the VC and found a Blue-headed Vireo, the only vireo of the weekend.
Along Harrison near pony barn were several Fox Sparrows.

Later, I stopped by Shrewsbury where there were several shorebirds along the edge, including a couple of White-rumped and some Dunlin.

Dunlin

Bashful White-rumped Sandpiper

Several ducks and grebes were close as well.

Pied-billed Grebe

Horned Grebe

I did a quick check of Erieau, where there was little to see (east winds!), then moved on up to Blenheim Lagoons where I had heard that there were many shorebirds.  There is good edge habitat for the shorebirds.
There was still a light rain, but there was no choice but to take a look under terrible conditions.  Steve and Jim were already there looking at an odd peep.  It had us stumped, but it turned out to be a Least Sandpiper in a plumage we rarely see.

Apparently there was a similar one at Presqu'ile a number of years ago, that had some thinking of some type of Stint.

There were hundreds of shorebirds at the lagoons, the most I have seen in a long time.  The bulk were Dunlin, but there were lots of Pectoral Sandpipers, many White-rumped, an injured Baird's, a couple of late Semipalmated Sandpipers, both yellowlegs, and of course the Hudsonian Godwits.

Pec

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The godwits had grown to number five in total!  Unusual to see that many in the Rondeau birding area at one time.  (the one was still at McLean's as well)

hudwits

Two large swans appeared there recently which were Trumpeters, uncommon for the area.

Sunday was a better day weatherwise, and even the sun was out briefly in the morning for a rare weekend showing.  Mid afternoon it started raining again though, just as I left Blenheim lagoons.

I started at dog beach for a lakewatch with Steve and Jim.  There were lots of ducks and loons moving.  I counted at least 122 Common Loons, with a few Red-throated.  No doubt some were missed.  We still  cannot get a definite Pacific for the Rondeau area!

Jim and I walked south point and found some things including a couple of Orange-crowned Warblers, a Common Yellowthroat, and about three tardy Blackpoll Warblers.

Blackpoll Warbler

While alone, I came across a late Black-throated Green Warbler that posed well.

Most of the birds were along the lake before the 'washout'.

Near the light beacon we spotted a bird in flight that was possibly an Evening Grosbeak.  A couple were spotted in the area last week, but I have no doubt more will show.

Bald Eagle

Another stop at the lagoons was in order today.  I was alone for this one, although I did briefly spot a Leamington birder in the distance.  lol.
I found there were fewer birds today, but still lots.  The godwits were still busy feeding.

Several White-rumped, the Least, a couple of Semisands were still present, but I did not spot the Baird's.

The Trumpeter Swans were still in the same sleeping position.

Habitat is excellent at Blenheim right now, so that is attracting many shorebirds.

Back to nice weather for the week.....

Weekday Dawn at Walpole Island

Weekend Report: Typical Stuff

Needless to say, Saturday was a complete washout.  Just like clockwork, the  weather deteriorated late Friday for probably the worst possible weather imaginable for this time of year.  There are so many things scheduled this time of year on weekends that depend on decent weather, so no doubt there were countless pissed-off people in this province!
There was the Pinery butterfly count yesterday....NOT!  I did not even try to go, so I drove around endlessly.  I spent an hour at Erieau watching the waves eat more of Rondeau Park, and looked at the few birds present.  The only thing of interest were the 7 Red-breasted Mergansers huddled up on the beach.  We get a few during summer.
There is no point left at Rondeau's tip. Gone!

Lots of birds at Seacliffe Beach in Leamington, but with the torrential downpour and gale-force winds, one could not do much to get a good look.

Today I went up to Pinery anyway!  There was light drizzle off and on at first which I could handle (forget butterflies!), but then it poured.  So much for that idea!

Large Tulip Tree

I first walked Carolinian Trail which I had not been on in many years.

A Hooded Warbler was singing on the part closer to the river.  I eventually came across a Black-throated Green Warbler.

The Black-throated Green are rather uncommon this far south in the breeding season, but sometimes do occur.  I had one at Port Franks in the County Forest last year.

I was going to check out the County Forest as well, but it was still raining a bit when I got to the area.... screw it!

Flycatcher with a great crest

The skies cleared toward Sarnia to my utter astonishment. (Monday came early?).
I walked into the old Blackwell Landfill to check for birds.  A few years ago we had Dickcissels there, but still none this year.  Grasshopper Sparrows are in the solar farm properties and could be heard singing
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View from top of the mound for you railfans:

With the sun out, I made a beeline south and took a brief stop at McKeough CA.  There is a good patch of milkweed along the bank.  Only a couple of Banded Hairstreaks.  I had a Hickory here a couple of days ago.  With yesterday's storm, much it if was flattened.
The Grasshopper Sparrow is still singing directly across from the entrance to the CA.

It was a good chance to check Reid with the rare weekend sun.  Lots of Banded Hairstreaks were coming and going.  Many were very fresh with the purplish hue.

The Edwards' was still standing vigil in the same area.

I saw the first Great-spangled Fritillaries of the year today.  This one looked a bit worn though.

There is always a good crop of Appalachian Browns here.

And, another skimmer with paint on it....

Another weekend is coming to a close.  Calm and sunny tomorrow no doubt!

Sunday Skimmers and other Rondeau Sightings

I decided to check out Rondeau Park this morning. The weather was great so it was a pleasant outing.
Starting on south point trail, some butterflies were starting to fly for the day.  Lots of Little Wood Satyrs were out as well as Hobomok Skippers.

Dragonflies are getting more numerous and one of the most common species was Blue Dasher.

I also saw a few Painted Skimmers.  Seems to be the year for them.  In total, I saw five in the park during my three hour stay.

Notable birds on south point included a female Black-and-White Warbler, and flying out over the lake was a Common Loon.

Next stop was the visitor centre area.  Just after I got out of the car, I heard a Black-throated Green Warbler singing near Tulip Tree Trail.  Sometimes, the odd one stays around.  I have them in late June as well.
I walked down Harrison Trail and came across a couple more Painted Skimmers.

Also heard and saw a Blue-winged Warbler.  I assume it is nesting in that area.

After three hours in the park, I headed over to Blenheim Sewage Lagoons.  The place has pretty much been cleared of birds!  As I approached the sprinklers cells, two female Wilson's Phalaropes flew out.  Seemed odd to have two bright females, rather than a male-female pair.

I briefly checked Erieau's marsh trail, but nothing of note, and certainly no Snowy Owl visible.  Last date I have for the owl is June 5, so if anyone has a later date, please let me know.
Many of these spiderwort plants at Marthaville yesterday were neat to see.

Pelee Parulas and Some Shorebirds

I headed down to Point Pelee early this morning and met up with Steve Pike. I walked the main road to the Tip before Steve arrived on his bicycle, then we checked out the Tip area.
Many of the birds today were just heard, but along the way  a Black-throated Green Warbler was singing just north of the half-way stop.  A couple of Ovenbirds were singing in the woods as were a couple of American Redstarts among the common birds.

Cedar Waxwing were plentiful today, but midges were even more so!  Black spots on this photo are midges.

The Tip had a number of gulls, but nothing notable.  Many were off the east side where lighting was not good.  It was a year ago I had three Common Loons, but none noted today.
We decided to walk up west beach trail.  Behind the serengeti tree, a Northern Parula was singing.
North of that on the lake was a male Greater Scaup...all alone!
Along the way, many Giant and Spicebush Swallowtails were flying, but practically no dragonflies.

Several Little Wood Satyrs were out today--the first I have seen this year.

Later in the morning I saw this female Twelve-spotted Skimmer south of northwest beach.

It was a fine day, so I headed towards De Laurier. Along the road I heard another Northern Parula north of White Pine with its characteristic song.
Later, Steve mentioned that he another Northern Parula and a Black-throated Green Warbler in the visitor centre area.

Listening at the old maintenance area, I briefly heard a Wilson's Warbler singing.  Often some are lingering into June in southwestern Ontario.

Inspired by Pelee Chickadee's blog post, I checked out the nesting Black Terns on marsh boardwalk.  One had to brave a couple of very aggressive Red-winged Blackbirds along the way!

They are close to the boardwalk, affording stellar views.

On the way home, I slid into Hillman Marsh to check out the shorebird cell.  Habitat is still excellent with many birds to see.  A total of 18 Great Egrets was present.

Semipalmated Sandpipers and Dunlin were feeding, as were Spotted Sandpipers and Black-bellied Plovers.

Quite a few ducks were swimming including the long-staying male Bufflehead.
No Little Gulls today, at least around noon.

Probably most notable was this Lesser Yellowlegs.  Fall migration (uggg!) is not far off, so we will be seeing these again soon!

Nearer home, I quickly checked Angler Line and Mitchell's Bay.  Lots of human activity, but nothing notable in birds.  As I mentioned before, the Yellow-headed Blackbirds have left the scene!

I finally got around to getting the Bird Trax back up after having some difficulty with it.  See right sidebar to check out sightings in Chatham-Kent.