Recent Sightings and Travels Early February 2026

 I have been out to the St. Clair River a few times in the last week.  Monday was a clear and sunny day, but very cold at Guthrie Park.

Upon arrival, I saw three Double-crested Cormorants in flight coming out of Talfourd Creek.  Seems we get a few wintering here every year!  No time for a photo op as they were in flight just as I pulled up.

A few Bald Eagles were messing around causing a stir among the ducks.

Here are some other scenes:

The lonely White-winged Scoter in this photo!

Early in the week we had what some call a "snow moon".  Whatever you call it, it was big and bright!

When I got up in the morning, it was low in the western sky.

At dusk, it was low in the eastern sky!

On Tuesday, I felt like going for a bit of a walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  Not much in the way of bird life of course, but here are some scenes on this cloudy day.

Yesterday I was a due for a trip to Rondeau and area.  I walked the campground.  Some blackbirds are hanging around the north end this winter, including many Brown-headed Cowbirds, a few Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles.  They were high the trees during my visit though.

Afterwards, I wandered the countryside, and even went into Erieau.  One place I stopped at was along Holdaway Line east of Blenheim.  There is a unique natural area alongside the road that harbours some decent birds every winter.

From the roadside, I saw about 15 American Robins, a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Purple Finch and a Northern Flicker.  Conditions did not warrant for decent photos.

Upon arrival though, a Red-tailed Hawk was at the edge of the woodlot.

I remember this area just after I first started birding.  It was always a stop on our Christmas Bird Count route since there were birds to be found there.  We did walk in back in those days, and I do recall Long-eared Owls here, among other things.  Too few of these areas left!

Last walk was at McGeachy Pond.  The main trail along the lake is too drifted in for walking, but the waterway alongside was easy to walk on.  Not much in the way of birds, but it was nice just to get out and walk (something I have not been able to do enough of this winter!).

Perhaps one could call this the phragmites corridor.

A Bald Eagle was in the distance.

Heading home, I went up Fargo Road.  A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk was perched at the edge of a woodlot.  I was not even close, and it still took off!

Today, I went out to the St. Clair River later in the morning.  It has opened up a bit more, but not until well north of Sombra.  The snow was down enough to get into some places such as Cathcart Park.  There was quite a bit to look at here.

Upon arrival, a pair of coots was just off the breakwall.  There is usually one or two on the river each winter, but these are the first I have seen this year!

I walked out onto the island for a better view of things.  A Trumpeter Swan was just offshore hanging out with its European counterparts.

There was another Trumpeter in the distance, and I am pretty sure there were too more in the far distance, but I did not have a scope.

Lots of Ring-necked Ducks here too, but none were close.

At the north end of Cundick Park (Stoke's Point) there was some open water.  Some Tundra Swans hanging out here, among other waterfowl.

Now that we are well into February, hopefully this winter weather breaks and we get get some milder temps.  Although it has really been a more normal winter, I have had enough!

Recent Activities and More Archives

Activities have been largely curtailed due to obvious reasons.  It will be a day by day thing for the next few weeks!

This morning the skies started clearing and I headed out to Mitchell's Bay to walk the south shore trail.  There was a stiff SW breeze at the time, but it was a good walk in balmy weather.  Lots of ducks were on Bay, but one could not see too far due to fog.
A large number of Lesser Scaup was in close.

Water levels are still very high and actually are rising, unfortunately.

Fog at Ticky Tacky Point

I then moved on to St. Clair NWA.  Nobody was around there either.  Viewing was good from the tower and I managed to spot a male Eurasian Wigeon gleaming in the sun!  I did not have the big camera along and it was too distant anyway to get on a photo.

It is probably the first one I have had at this location.
One was seen at Erieau a while back on a single occasion earlier this month, but has not been relocated since.

Photo of one from the past at Rondeau

Today, I came across an interesting old news clipping.  Not much to do with nature, but it involved a former provincial park north of Sombra!
I have mentioned before that Cathcart Park (originally known as Clay Creek Park) was previously under provincial designation and that my father worked there one summer.
Well, this clipping showed a photo of my father working the gate!

The year was 1958 when this became a provincial park.  The article mentions it is the fourth in the county; others being Rock Glen, Ipperwash and Pinery which was just being developed.

Note cost of entry permit!!

The park is still popular and a good birdwatching spot especially in winter.

Clay Creek

River Runs, Skunk's Misery, Pinery Visit

Late Friday I checked out the St. Clair River to Corunna.  The best spots presently are Cathcart Park and Guthrie Park.  Warm water outflows have left the river partially open at these locations during the recent cold spell.

The adult Trumpeter Swan was still visible at Cathcart Park, but I did not have the camera on hand.
There was quite a variety of waterfowl here, including more Tundra Swans.

I got to Corunna by sunset, then went on into Sarnia.  A coyote was crossing the ice to Stag Island, but really out of range for the camera.

South of Sarnia just before dark, I saw this Red Fox bounding across a field.

Saturday morning I decided to check the river again.  The immature Trumpeter Swan (at least I think so) was visible at Cath's Cart Park among some Tundras and many Mutes.  It is one of the more odd-looking swans I have ever seen.

There was nothing else of note visible, but there is open water all the up to the OC outflow.  Much of it is not accessible or one cannot get a good view due to the trees in front of OC Industries.

A pair of Bald Eagles was frolicking around here.

There was lots to see at Guthrie Park, Corunna.  Early on, a Greater White-fronted Goose made an appearance.  Nice to see this time of year!  One was at Sarnia earlier in January, so this is likely the same individual as things have frozen solid there.

Lots of Long-tailed Ducks were present, as well as many other species.

Long-tailed Ducks

I headed back south and drove the entire length of Oil Springs Line to where it passes the Sydenham Nature Reserve.  There were dozens of Horned Larks, some Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs along the way.  Also , lots of Dark-eyed Juncos and some other sparrows.  It is a good road to check out during the peak of winter.

I headed into the Mosa Forest area (Skunk's Misery) and drove around.  My hope was to view a Golden Eagle, but that never materialized!  They winter in this area, but I guess it is just luck to come across one.
I walked one trail and found some birds.  Included were a number of American Robins and two Hermit Thrushes.

The Hermit Thrushes did not co-operate for photos very well.

Sunday, a change in scenery was in order, so I headed up to Pinery Provincial Park.  The visitor feeder setup is the best place to see a variety of birds.  It did not disappoint.

Many squirrels were taking advantage of the spilled seed.

Highlight was an "Oregon" Junco.  Been some time since I have seen one!

The wintering White-throated Sparrow made an appearance as well.

Lots of Pine Siskins were busy at the nyjer feeders, as were a few Common Redpolls.

Many Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were around as well.

At one point, a flock of about 65 Cedar Waxwings came in to feed in the cedars.  Alas, no Bohemians with them.

One more walk for the day was at Ausable River Cut CA.  It was quite pleasant as the sun had come out, unusual for a weekend.
I found a good pocket of birds which included a timid Hermit Thrush.

A pair of Carolina Wrens was also in the group, along with many chickadees, titmice and nuthatches.

Turned out to be a decent weekend with especially with the rare nice weather.