Recent Lakewatches and Things In Between

 This week I attempted some lakewatches at different locations.  It was not a good week with the camera, as I could not get on things to photograph, or the camera simply did not co-operate, lol. Hence, some photos here are from the past!

Tuesday was a rainy day, so the only option was to go to Erieau and stand under the pavilion at Laverne Kelly Memorial Park.  It is an excellent spot on a rainy day when winds are from the east.  One is somewhat protected from the wind and rain!  And there are picnic tables for convenience.

A look at the pier area showed it was not a good place to hang around.

Erieau Pier Area

There were lots of ducks moving, but no standouts.  Highlight was when Steve spotted a Red Phalarope heading east, low at the surf line.  We had good looks to  determine the species.  Perhaps it ended up at the pier area.  It is always nice to see the rarest of our phalaropes. It seems to be a good year for them, as there have been quite a few in southern Ontario reported this past week.

Pelee Bird

Wednesday I did not go too far.  The annual showing of Sandhill Cranes west of Wallaceburg continues.  It is interesting that these creatures come from Michigan every morning, then depart later in the day for the night.  We have had over 100 at times.

The St. Clair River has been extremely quiet this fall any time I have been out there.  One of the few classic lakers left went by Port Lambton one morning.

CSL Tadoussac

Thursday looked good for a lakewatch at Rondeau's dog beach.  Nothing spectacular though.......once again.  Hopefully it will be a decent day on December 17, when the Blenheim/Rondeau CBC takes place.

Checking the campground afterwards, there were quite a few sparrow types and others.  A Blue-grey Gnatcatcher seems to be stuck in the campground, working the north end mostly. We usually get a late one here every year.

I attempted to photograph it, but for whatever reason, the camera would not focus.  Just one of those days!

Ruddy Ducks are hanging out on the east side as they usually do this time of year.  There were close to 1000 when I looked on Thursday.

After leaving the park, I stopped by Keith McLean C. L.  Some Dunlin were still kicking around, and a lone Black-bellied Plover was prancing around the little island.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at a local property.

Screech owl poking out of this box!

Today, there was a strong NNW wind, so you guessed it, I headed up to Ipperwash.  Upon arrival, the sky was littered with Ring-billed Gulls, perhaps numbering close to 3000!  I attempted a photo with my cell phone, but it is difficult to see the gulls here.

The lakewatch was quite lame with low numbers of ducks moving and not a lot of gulls after the initial movement.  At times, there was nothing to look at!  Difficult to figure out sometimes.

Afterwards, I ventured up to Pinery P.P.  I do not go there that often anymore.  It is just not the same as it used to be, as there are very few birds anymore, or so it seems.  Looking at other's eBird lists, it is the same thing.

I was on the hunt for waxwings, especially Bohemian.  I finally found a big group in Dunes campground.  I only had a brief period of time to sort through, but I did find a couple of Bohemians.  Before I could get a good look, a Sharp-shinned Hawk came through and the flock took off.  Just my typical luck.

At Erieau a few years ago

Other than that, there were very few birds to be found.

I stopped by McKeough CA for a short walk just before getting home.  It too was rather quiet today.  A few juncos were kicking around.

Algonquin Anecdotes

 From Sunday to Wednesday morning I was at Algonquin Provincial Park for a getaway.  I go at this time of year at least every two years, but this was the second year in a row.  My original plans were to go to Algonquin, then on to the OFO conference in Peterborough this year.  I was really looking forward to birding in Peterborough area, but like everything else this year, it was cancelled.  I still had the option of going to Algonquin though!

I headed up early Sunday morning, arriving into the park in a record-setting 5.5h from Wallaceburg!  I always go early Sunday mornings to avoid traffic.  The visit was quite successful as I managed to find the "Big Four" specialties plus a couple of bonus species!

Scenery was good with trees turning colour quite nicely.

As always, I start birding at the old railway bed off Arowhon Road.  I had some success, but I noticed there were few birds, which turned out to be the theme of the trip.  I think birds have left early this year, comparing it to previous visits.  There were hardly any warblers, few sparrows (not a single junco the whole trip!) and long stretches without any birds.

I did come across a rather late Magnolia Warbler which was a bit shy.

I did pick up on two Black-backed Woodpeckers, a Spruce Grouse and some other odds and ends.  I could not get in a proper postition for the woodpecker, so photo is the pits.

Ruffed Grouse

I saw a couple of Compton Tortoiseshells, my first for the park.  As many of you know, this species is having a banner year in Ontario.

To kill some time, I stopped by Cache Lake boat launch.  Here we have a historical display where the old Highland Inn to stand, and where the railroad came through.

Steps to the old Highland Inn

I also walked along the edge of the lake to the east, where there is a trail.  I saw a couple more Compton Tortoiseshells!

To kill more time before check-in time at the campground, I walked Peck Lake trail afterwards before going to the campground at Mew Lake.  At the entrance of Peck Lake, I saw an Orange Sulphur to add to the butterfly list.

Upon arrival at Mew Lake, I walked around the old airfield, my most favourite spot in the park.  I was hoping to find American Copper, but only found Mourning Cloak.

After a quick supper, I did my usual sunset walk of the old airfield.  I lucked out and encountered three Canada Jays.

The sun soon was to set, so I headed back to camp.

Next morning, I walked my favourite trail, Mizzy Lake.  It is 11 km in length, but visits various habitats, including the old railway bed which I mentioned above.  It was foggy on the lakes due to the cold overnight temps (uncomfortable at night in a tent!).

Mizzy Lake

Some Ring-necked Ducks were on Mizzy Lake in the fog. You can see the "dots" in the above photo.

Scene at West Rose Lake

I did not come across anything special though, but it was a nice walk for early morning.

Palm Warbler

After lunch, I tackled the Bat Lake Trail.  I have had success here before.

I managed to pick up on a Boreal Chickadee at a spot I usually get one or two.  Boreal Chickades are getting more difficult to find in Algonquin along the highway 60 corridor it seems.

Some good scenery along the way.

And, that tree growing on a rock that I always take a picture!

A Garter Snake was slithering along the trail at one point.

After Bat Lake trail, which is just across from Mew Lake campground, I looked on the old airfield for American Copper.  I found two!

After supper, I did the usual evening walk on the old airfield.

Tuesday morning, I headed east to Spruce Bog Boardwalk.  I find it the best time to encounter Spruce Grouse, and this day was no exception.

After that, I killed some time before the VC opened (I wanted to buy some books) and walked Beaver Pond trail where I added Solitary Sandpiper for the list.

I decided to tackle the Track and Tower Trail, which is quite long, and sometimes boring.  It had been many years since I walked this trail, so it was something I wanted to do.  Although certainly not a birding trail, it holds the record for Algonquin's only Townsend's Solitaire found a few years ago by none other than Wallaceburg's Tom and Jenn Chatterton!

The most interesting area is where one can see remains of the old railway crossing Cache Lake.  Also there foundations of the big old trestle can be seen.

Old Railway crossing on Cache Lake

Also, the outlet of Cache Lake has a dam and falls.

After this long walk, I was dead tired (not as young as I used to be!) so I relaxed at the campsite after lunch.

In the evening I once again did my usual airfield walk.  I took this photo, seen below,  thinking of the Bohemian Waxwing that Burke Korol and I found on September 26, 2001.  It was the very spot.  The bird was a fall record-early by a longshot for Algonquin at that time.

Continuing on, I found the same American Copper from the previous day.

About a half hour later after taking the photo of the Bohemian Waxwing spot, I noticed a couple of birds sitting in a dead tree across the river.  Waxwings!  I had not yet had any for the trip list so I thought it was nice to get some Cedar Waxwings.

 But wait a minute, something different here.  They were a bit distant so I fired off some photos to magnify on the camera.  They had cinnamon butts!   Never did I think I would find Bohemian Waxwings at this time!

I ended up staying in this spot for 45 minutes watching the birds.  Once in a while, they would drop down and come up with berries.

A couple other birders came by and I showed them the waxwings.  While talking to them, I heard the distinctive flight calls of White-winged Crossbills overhead.  Sure enough, six flew right overhead!  Another bonus bird I did not expect since none had been reported lately.

I slept well that night needless to say.  It was much warmer too!

Next morning I headed out early.  I should mention that I heard Barred Owl each night, and the last morning when I was already up, one called very close.

I walked Whiskey Rapids Trail before leaving the park.  It used to be my favourite short trail where I often had good success for birds.  It was rather quiet this day.

On the way home, I stopped by Hardy Lake Provincial Park between Gravenhurst and Bala.  It was also quiet for birds.

I came home "cross-country" which took a long time since I got twisted around at one point (signage sucks!).

As usual, I stopped by West Perth Wetlands for a break and to see what was in.  There were lots of ducks and shorebirds, but the key feature was the long-staying Barnacle Goose.  Neat to see, but I think this one has questionable origin.

All-in-all, a successful get-away as I picked up on some good birds, scenery and fresh air. And, establishing a new early record for Bohemian Waxwings in Algonquin Park.

Common Raven