New Year's CBC

We started off the New Year with one last CBC--the St. Clair NWA.  Although the relative temperature was not terribly cold, the wind chill made it unbearable.  As a result, we spent little time out of the car!

Milder years are much better with open water and much waterfowl.  It is not often we get a winter like this.

I checked out the wildlife area with Pete Read and Don Pye.  Normally we would walk the dike and Balmoral Line, but it was out of the question today.  There would not be much, if anything, along the dike.  Most birds would have been long gone or dead by now!

I arrived a bit earlier and scouted around.  On the way there, I saw two Snowy Owls along Heron Line in their usual position (way out).

One here

Several groups of Snow Buntings were seen along the way.  They do not mind this weather!

We decided to go by car down Balmoral Line.  There was a small open water area where geese and ducks were packed--only kept open because they stay there.  It was difficult to pick out anything different, and we could not stay out of the car any length of time.

However, there were two Northern Pintail and a single male Northern Shoveler mixed in with 2000+ Mallard and Black ducks.

A lone Tundra Swan, which we assumed was still alive, kept its head down the whole time.

Near the end of Balmoral Line, we encountered a group of Rusty Blackbirds working along the ditch out of the wind.

Once in a while, we get Brewer's Blackbird on this count, but not today.

We arrived back at the parking lot and noticed a bird under the Red Cedar alongside the ditch.  We got a little closer and I realized it was a Gray Catbird!  Of all the things to find out there this winter....

I am not sure if it will survive much longer as the weather is supposed to get even colder this week.

I believe I have seen one other catbird on this count when we checked out Bradley many years ago.

We decided to try a walk, but only got to the little bridge.  It was pointless to go any further!

By this time it was about 11:30 and we were pretty much done.  To accommodate everyone, the areas are small and there is not enough to go around for a full day's work anymore.  Just as well, it was pretty bleak out there today!  However, this count is always a good way to start off the New Year.

And of course, this count is known for the crows.

Early morning feed

Searching For Birds

With the days getting too short, I spent a little time before and after work looking for birds.  I often stop at Peers Wetland after work. 
A couple of days ago, I specifically had Nelson's Sparrow on my mind.  There is ample suitable habitat to harbour a Nelson's Sparrow. at Peers, and the last couple of years I had always hoped to find one there.  Near the end of my walk, one popped up out of the cattails!  I had to laugh at the time since it was my target bird.  Unfortunately, I did not have a camera, which is often the case at Peers.
It seems that Nelson's Sparrows have been well-reported this fall.  Perhaps birders have been more adept at finding them, but these skulky sparrows are often difficult to find.  Many go through, but they hide well.
Last December, a few days before New Year's, I found one at St. Clair NWA.  That was more unique given the lateness. 

This evening, I went out to Mitchell's Bay and walked the south shore  trail. This time of year, there are passerines along the trail, but geese are in high numbers coming off the lake. 

This evening there were perhaps 1500 geese in several flocks.  Early on, I spotted one Snow Goose, which was the only different one of the lot!

At sunset, many flocks were coming in off the lake.

It was a year ago that many Greater White-fronted Geese were reported around SW Ontario.  Mitchell's Bay was no exception.  But, nothing other than the Snow Goose today.

Along the trail were many White-throated Sparrows and kinglets.  Besides Yellow-rumped Warblers, was a single male Black-throated Blue.
Other birds included a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, some Hermit Thrushes and an Eastern Phoebe.

This coming weekend looks rather warm for the time of year, so we will see what transpires!

Today's Outing-Spring is in the Air

It was a nice day, but not a lot of birds to look at (except Canada Geese and some ducks!). I headed down to Pelee as I had not been there much at all this winter (too busy on the St. Clair River!).  I renewed my gate pass at the discounted rate (good deal unlike the outrageous fees at provincial parks!).
Many Red-winged Blackbirds were singing especially along conc. D road.  A sign of spring.

Ring-necked Pheasant 

In the park, I arrived at the Tip lot and Jeremy and Marianne were just leaving (!).  Jeremy was heading to Brantford to catch a look at the Gray Partridge.  I was left with Richard Carr! We had a nice walk, but not much to be seen.  Even Shuster Trail was quiet except for a Winter Wren and possibly a Carolina Wren.
The south end of Hillman Marsh held lots of Canada Geese and a couple of Snow Geese, but no White-fronted.  Lots were seen yesterday apparently!

I headed back along the lake to Erieau.  Too much ice!  The channel was open though and held lots of Canada Geese and some ducks.  A couple of smaller geese were in there too, but not sure I would call them Cacklers.

Geese at Erieau

I walked the R/R track trail to the stand.  Only a few Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows.
That was enough.

Chickadee in Flight

Song Sparrow

Just finished compiling my Little Gull records for the Rondeau area.  More than I thought!  Chip Weseloh is going to some sort of article on Little Gulls, so I will pass on any that I know.  Allen Woodliffe is getting all of them in one document.