Recent Rondeau Rambles-March 17, 19

 On Thursday, I went to Rondeau Park to take advantage of the nicest weather we had yet this year.  We rarely get weather like that on weekends, so I had to go!  This weekend was no exception.  There was nothing of note in the way of birds, but I enjoyed some long walks.

Most interesting was sorting through all the ducks on Rondeau Bay.  Lots were moving on the lake as well.

Seems we cannot find an Eurasian Wigeon this spring!  Normally there would be one out there, but despite valiant efforts, not one has been seen yet.

I even stopped by Sinclair's Bush on the way home, but it was quiet exdept for a chattering Winter Wren.

Today, the weather was weekend-like with fog, drizzle and rain.  I went to Rondeau anyway, but luckily the weather forecast was wrong again and it did not rain all morning.  It even almost cleared up at one point!  I got a good walk in.

It was foggy at first, but then cleared up, so I got a good look at the ducks on the Bay.  They were more distant than Thursday.

More Bonaparte's Gulls were in, and I managed to spot a first cycle Little Gull in the distance. A FOY.  Too distant for any type of photo.

Probably a leftover wintering bird, this Brown Thrasher was along Lakeshore Road.

The park is shrinking along south point trail.  Since I have been coming to the park, much of it has disappeared into the lake!  This concrete structure is exposed more than it ever has been despite lower water levels this year.

It was apparently associated with the old campground which was along south point east back in the day.

I even walked a bit out marsh trail.  The "birdhouse" is about to crumble, a change from my walk out there a couple of weeks ago.

Wind-blown ice can be quite powerful!  Still lots of ice near the start of marsh trail.

Not much else to report, but new birds are slowly trickling in, so stay tuned!

Historical note for Boatnerds.  On this day back in 1932, the original Lakeshell tanker was launched.  It Late in life it was renamed Alfred Cytacki.  A business venture that my grandfather was involved with, including the tug Chris M never materialized.  Here is a photo I took at Erieau harbour back in the summer of 1974!

Waterfowl Watching and More

 Friday was sunny but very blustery after the snowstorm so I stuck to main roads.  In the afternoon I parked myself opposite Fawn Island to watch waterfowl.

Some Northern Shovelers had recently arrived and were showing well.

There was nothing else of note, but it was interesting just to watch the waterfowl.

Saturday was still blustery, but I stopped by the Fawn Island area again.

The Redhead X Ring-necked Duck was there, but asleep.

Up to 15 Bald Eagles were in the area.

I ventured up as far a Guthrie Park, but there was not much to see except some eagle action.

Today I needed a change in scenery and headed down to Rondeau Park at dawn.

Not too much of note, but I needed to get a good walk in. 

Walking through the campground, I came across a Brown Thrasher which has been wintering in the area.  I thought I saw two at one point, but was not sure.  It was very skittish and I was not able to get a photo.

A bit later, I came across another Brown Thrasher near maintenance which I considered a different bird.  I had one there earlier in the winter.  It too was not very co-operative!

A few Fox Sparrows were around and I came across only three Yellow-rumped Warblers in the campground.

This afternoon was too nice to sit around so I went back out to Fawn Island area.  The hybrid duck was showing well, but not too close.  It is an attractive duck.

I saw my first chipmunk of the year today!

Sarnia Stuff, Blackbird Bonus and Rondeau Ramble

 Friday, I decided to make a run up along the St. Clair River to Sarnia.  With the recent cold weather, the river has filled with ice!  There was not much to see until one got to Guthrie Park, Corunna.  Even the Sombra dock area had frozen over, when usually there is a bit of open water there on the downstream side of the causeway.

A few ducks were here and there.

Most ships are laid up now, but the St. Marys Challenger barge was upbound.  This is the oldest operating hull on the Lakes, dating back to 1906.

Earlier this week, the female Harlequin Duck appeared at the Sombra dock.  Before work on Tuesday I took a quick look just for fun.  Too dark that early!  The Harlequin was still asleep.

Apparently, the old girl is back up at Sarnia today!

Lots of Bald Eagles are along the river.  When their inland locations get frozen over, we see more along the St. Clair River.

On a historical note, the rail ferry Sainte Marie was launched at Toledo on this day (January 22) back in 1913.  Here is a photo taken at Port Lambton on its maiden voyage, by local grocer Mabel Smith.

I stopped by the west end of Suncor Nature Way where ducks are packed in like sardines.  Nothing notable.

A couple of White-crowned Sparrows popped up at one point.

I walked the old Blackwell Landfill later on, but it was quiet.

Crow chasing a Rough-legged Hawk

Last stop on Friday was at Moore WMA.  Along the road I noticed some blackbirds.  Well.... turned out to be hundreds!  Kind of odd for the location at this time of year.  Maybe they ventured up from Walpole Island!

With this kind of flock from my experience, one should search for a Yellow-headed Blackbird.  Did not take long before I spotted one!  It was a bit far back though, but stood out like a sore thumb.

The flock was quite scattered through the woods and kept moving, so I could not get a good look for something like a Rusty or even a Brewer's.  There were around 600 Common Grackles, some Red-winged, Brown-headed Cowbirds and starlings.

The Yellow-headed sighting made up for a somewhat disappointing day otherwise.

Today, I felt the urge to go to Rondeau.  It was quite windy (been too much of that lately) and the lake was full of ice, so no lake watch.  Some birds were here and there.

Hermit Thrush

Red-bellied Woodpecker

White-throated Sparrow

Steve and I checked the campground and found some of the usual creatures.  The main Yellow-rumped Warbler flock roams widely and we found it along Lakeshore Road near Lake Access #2.  Some of them were checking spider webs on a cottage.

After Steve left, I checked the maintenance area and elsewhere.  Among more White-throated Sparrows was a Brown Thrasher!  Although I saw it well, it did not co-operate for a photo.

LOL

Earlier in the week, Steve had one out marsh trail, so perhaps that one bailed the remote location and ended up here!

Heading home, I checked checked Stefina Line.  No Stefina Snipe today, and the mockingbird was MIA.

Rondeau Weekend Birding November 4-5

The past two mornings I spent some time at Rondeau Park.  Birds were scarce Saturday, but it was better Sunday despite the typical weekend weather (crappy!).
Both days I started with a lakewatch at Dog Beach per usual this time of year.  It is a great spot to watch for gulls, ducks and shorebirds.

Some good birds have been seen during the weekdays, as usual, when I am at work!  Late this past week, a Common Nighthawk was seen by Steve and Aaron Charbonneau there.  I would assume it was record late.  Speaking of nightjars, it was exactly five years ago (4 November 2012) we found a record late Whip-poor-will on south point trail.


You never know what may be around this time of year!

Saturday morning was good for duck movement, with many species seen.  I was joined by Steve Charbonneau and Allen Woodliffe for a lakewatch.  The ducks kept us busy.

Some Dunlin and Sanderlings were moving as well.

The trails were almost devoid of 'land' birds Saturday, but the campground had some birds though.

I checked out McGeachy Pond dike later, and found a Brown Thrasher.  Perhaps it will stick around.

The White Pelican was long gone, but then again, it was seen on weekdays.

Sunday morning started out drizzly, but at least it stopped for some half decent birding in the park.  I started a lakewatch, and about 07:20, a nice little duck flew right in front of me.  It was a male Harlequin!  There was no time for a photo though, and the weather was still drizzly at the time.
Five minutes later, Jim Burk joined me for a lakewatch.  There were hardly any gulls today, but a few ducks were moving.
Only seven Common Loons were seen today, unlike yesterday when many were moving.

Once again, Dunlin and Sanderling were around, but in fewer numbers.  I guess things like Purple Sandpipers only show up on weekdays!

After the lakewatch, we went down to South point trail.  At least there were a few more birds than yesterday, with many kinglets, some Fox Sparrows among others.
One must stay out of the grass this time year, as Deer Ticks are numerous.

We walked the campground as usual for this time of year, and found a few birds.  A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was its usual tree. This bird will likely stay the winter since there is at least one every single winter here.
Some Fox Sparrows and many Northern Cardinals were in the campground.  Only a few Yellow-rumped Warblers represented that departement.
This time of year is good for late or rare warblers.  It was 23 November 2008 that Jim and spotted a Black-throated Gray Warbler.

An Eastern Phoebe was in the campground as well, not too unusual for this date.

Looking at ducks on the Bay was a lost cause since fog rolled in.  So much for trying for a Eurasian Wigeon!

Jim and I separated for a while.  Near the pony barn, Jim found a White-eyed Vireo.  I came along a little later and saw it high in the trees.  Record late for Rondeau is later in November.
There was no chance for photos today.  Lighting was very poor and not much to photograph anyway.

Before going home, I slid over to Ridgetown Lagoons where I found lots of geese.  The only different ones were two Snows.  Some Tundra Swans were in plus a single distant swan by itself which struck me as a Trumpeter,  I lost sight of it in the distant field though.

That is it for this weekend.  The sun will be back out tomorrow for another week!