Ice, Ducks, and Other Things on the St. Clair River

 I have been spending lots of time along the St. Clair River, taking advantage of the waterfowl situation.  Since the last two winters there was virtually nothing on the river during winter, it is more like the "old" days!  The only thing, there are not many gulls except at Sarnia, apparently.

There is lots of ice, concentrating waterfowl in certain areas.  There is always ice on the St. Clair River (except last year!) in some form or another.  I always throw this photo in at this time of year.  Note the thick ice.

The Sainte Marie II was launched at Toledo, Ohio on 22 January 1913.  Later, it took its maiden voyage to the Straits of Mackinac, passing through the St. Clair River.  A well-known photo was taken by Port Lambton's grocer, Mabel Smith as it passed her vantage point. She had the photo made into post cards, as seen above.

In the distant past, the river would freeze over solid and smooth.  Racing ice boats was a popular activity.  I recall my grandfather talking about it.

As well, at international river crossings such as Sombra, one could drive a car across.  Routes were marked with Christmas trees!

Back to the present day, the Fawn Island area has consistently been good for waterfowl.  Up to three species of swans have been seen.  Back when I first started birding, it was rare to see a swan in winter.  Mutes were unusual, Tundras never wintered, and Trumpeters were not around.

Some of the ducks float by fairly close.

Canvasback with food

Another good spot the last few days is the warm water outflow of OC Industries.  On Friday, it was packed with ducks!  Yet again, I could not find anything unusual.  However, it is fun to sort through the rafts.

The Mooretown dock has been fairly good for a vantage point.  The most common duck there is Long-tailed, but others can be seen.  This Hooded Merganser came close, but I failed to get a proper photo.  It was wrestling with something, thinking that it was a good meal.  Not sure what it was though.

I went back out today.  Weather was nicer with warmer temps, little wind and clear skies.  There was not as much at Fawn Island today, but Cathcart Park was decent.  There were at least seven Ring-necked Ducks there among the hundreds of Canvasback and Redhead and others.

As well, at least five Gadwall were there, the first I have seen on the river this calendar year, oddly enough.

The OC outlet was good too.  The four Trumpeter Swans were hanging out once again.

Next stop was the Mooretown dock.  It was quite impressive at times with all the Long-tailed Ducks.

The Algoluna was downbound and flushed thousands of ducks, including the Long-tailed.

Times sure have changed.  It was unusual to see a Long-tailed Duck on the river back in the early1990's.  Now there are thousands every winter!

As well, the ship flushed thousands of Canvasback!  Those were obviously tucked in towards the Michigan side, and I did not realize how many there were until they were airborne.  I estimated over 2600 at one point.  They were high-flying, as opposed to the Long-tailed which were low-flying!

Next stop was Guthrie Park at the north end of Corunna.  A fair bit here including lots of Common Goldeneye.  I tried in vain to pick out a Barrow's, but did not.  Still a chance there this winter though!

A couple of adult male White-winged Scoters were nice to see, but too distant to photograph.

More gulls were here, but not what we would like to see (as in the past).

Some Bald Eagles were in the area.

Friday, a large flock of Common Grackles descended upon the yard in early afternoon. I thought it was odd since I have not seen a blackbird in weeks.  Some Brown-headed Cowbirds and European Starlings were with them, but I estimated about 95 grackles.

Today, just as I arrived home from the river run, a flock of about 60 grackles flew over.  Obviously they are hanging out somewhere!

At Bay

 This morning, for lack of anything else to do, I headed out to Mitchell's Bay for a look.  No ice this winter, which is certainly not good for the local economy.  Ice fishing and related activities is a big deal out there in winter.  There was a bit of ice earlier in the year, but it did not last.  Usually there should still be some thick ice on the 'Bay'.

Here is a photo from late March, 2019.  Still come ice!

I remember in the "old" days, we used to go out to the Bay for skating.  The ice was thick, and one could even drive the car out onto the ice and find a place to park!

Times have changed.

Today, I was happy to see lots of ducks, since there has been nothing on the St. Clair River this winter.  Canvasback was the most dominant duck, numbering several thousand.  When there is no ice on the lakes, they hang out there!

There were lots of scaup as well, but they were mostly farther out.

There were other species mixed in, but the only puddle ducks were a few American Wigeon, Mallard and Black.

The most notable duck today, a bit too distant for a photo, was a male Redhead X Ring-necked Duck.  Of course, I am familiar with that one from the St. Clair River.  Perhaps it is the same one I saw earlier this winter at Sombra!  One can only dream.

There were not a lot of geese and swans, but I did not see anything other than the usual common ones.

Yesterday was a nice day, but very windy and cold.  I had the urge to take a look at Hillman Marsh, so I went for the long walk around the dike.  There was a lot to look at but no rarities stood out.

Lots of Ring-necked Ducks there, which even tripped the eBird filter.

Some Trumpeter Swans were there, as expected.

A few gulls were around, but not many (they are all at Wheatley Harbour!).  The only standout was a single Bonaparte's.  Some fresh Ring-billed Gulls were waiting it out on the ice.

On to yet another day.....

Sunset over Walpole Island February 25, 2023

Guthrie Park: The Go-To Place in Mid-Winter

We are in a deep-freeze and most of the St. Clair River is full of ice now.

Port Lambton

 

The past couple of mornings I spent quite a bit of time at Guthrie Park on the St. Clair River.  It is the go-to place this time of year!  Very little open water farther south due to ice build-up, so ducks and gulls and are concentrated here.

Friday morning was fairly good and the highlight was when I spotted a Harlequin Duck.  It was quite distant, so I thought it was another female, since one had been at Cathcart Park the last few days.  Later, other observers thought it was likely a young male, which can look similar to a female at a distance.

Lots of Canvasback and Redhead were in close, among other things.

Many of the ducks have resorted to eating gizzard shad.  Even the Mallards!

Numbers of goldeneye had dropped, but I still had hopes of finding the Barrow's Goldeneye that was found last Sunday.  No dice this day!

Lots of Mute Swans here, but a Trumpeter Swan showed up earlier this week.

An oddball duck has been frequenting the area for the last week or so.  We are not sure what it is, but almost looks like some Ruddy in the mix.  Even scaup seems to be involved, especially in the spread wing.

Drove back roads on the way home and saw lots of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.

Today I went back to the river since there was not much else to do.  With the price of gas now, I did not want to go too far.

Ducks were in good and close today as ice had built up in the river.

Some goldeneye had congregated in midriver, but I could not pick out a Barrow's early on.

At one point, several goldeneye flew in close due to an Algoma tanker moving downbound.  I watched closely, and sure enough I spotted the Barrow's Goldeneye.  Darrell Parsons saw it simultaneously as well!  We both got out of our vehicles to get a better look.

It came fairly close allowing us to get good looks to make sure it was not a hybrid look-alike.

Eventually it went back out to midriver.  The last Barrow's I saw on the river was back in 2015, so we do not get them every year.  Tufted Duck is long overdue on the river!  Back in 1994 one stayed at Sombra for some time.

Some White-winged Scoters were in the vicinity as well.  I only saw two immatures yesterday, but three adults were here.

We observed a pair of Common Goldeneye getting a head start to the breeding season.  I was a bit late with the camera...lol.

Bald Eagles are always numerous on the river, mixing things up.

Some open water remains at Cathcart Park, but I did not spot a Harlequin Duck there today.   It was a good day though.