Rondeau Birding Area CBC

Sunday December 15 was the annual Blenheim/Rondeau Christmas Bird Count (CBC).  It is always something to look forward to and the camraderie at the compilation is always fun.  I have been doing this count since 1989 if I recall correctly (memory starting to fade after all that time!).
I used to help in the area at Blenheim and north of Blenheim, but eventually took over the area south of the visitor centre, including south point trail.  It is a lot of walking, but I enjoy being on foot for hours!

This year, I was once again joined by Quinten Wiegersma, starting with a lakewatch at 'dog beach'.  It is a good way to start the day as many species can be seen on the lake from there.  The weather was less than ideal to start the day and it was certainly a far cry from the lakewatch on Friday.
We managed to scrape up four Red-throated Loons, a bit short of the 174 from Friday!  Not many ducks were moving either.

After getting chilled to the bone, we continued our usual routine of moving to the south point trail.  Needless to say, birds were scarce.  Probably the best bird was a lonely Ruby-crowned Kinglet farther down the trail.  I did not take the big camera this day, so no photos of birds!  Only scenery shots.

The lake was a bit rough with the brisk westerly winds.

After a break, we started walking up Lakeshore Road.  It started fairly good with an Eastern Towhee calling in the underbrush, and a lone Common Grackle flying over.  From there to the VC, and back down Harrison was practically birdless!

After getting back in the car, we headed north to take advantage of the warmth of the VC and have our lunch.  A lone Tufted Titmouse (among other birds) at the feeders turned out to be a decent bird for the count.

From there, we headed up to the campground to see if we could find anything the morning crew missed.  We did find an American Robin (or at least hear one) which was not seen earlier.  There were not many birds there, unlike previous years.

From there we parted ways and I headed back to south point trail as usual.  Along the way, I saw the wintering Turkey Vulture soaring overhead.

The sun was out by this time, and it was enjoyable along the trail.  I find it quite nice this time of day, and it was a good walk as I added about six species we did not encounter earlier in the day.

I started by walking along the forest edge on the lakeside.  Another Eastern Towhee and a Winter Wren were among the birds seen. 

At one point I decided to jaunt out to the beach.  A lone Horned Grebe was swimming right there.  What are the chances of me picking that spot for a quick look at the beach?
There were actually more birds than earlier in my walk.

I encountered a couple of Virginia Opossums on my walk.

Later, I decided to walk back the old Dillon Trail (a road that was once drivable until the early 1970's).  In past counts, I often walked this back to the 'big' slough and even further to the other side of south point trail.  However, I could only get so far where I encountered deep water.  It sometimes is surprising the number of birds back there.

It was quite pleasant along the old Dillon.  I added a couple of Swamp Sparrows and another Winter Wren.

After checking out that area, I stopped by dog beach and sat on the bench for a while.  Another Red-throated Loon was swimming offshore, and several Canada Geese were swimming nearby.

All told, 42 species were tallied in my area, not bad for a winter without a lot of birds.

We had a good time at the dinner/compilation.  Total species for the count was 102 which I think is quite respectable for a "slow" winter.  Among the more notable birds, a couple of Eastern Phoebes were tallied and in the warbler section, only a couple of Yellow-rumped.  Belted Kingfishers were quite plentiful on this year's count.

My next count will be Skunk's Misery on December 21.

CBC Season: The Counts Begin

This weekend many of us joined in on our local Christmas Bird Counts.  Saturday I went up to Arkona to do my section of the Kettle Point CBC.  I should have stayed home!  Some years are better than others, but this year I saw the fewest number of birds ever.
I do Rock Glen CA and the village of Arkona.  It was mucky too, with the mild weather.

view from above of the old dam site

It took almost two hours just to find a Black-capped Chickadee!
It was difficult to hear in certain locations as the water levels were high and much water was going over the falls.
I was home by noon.

Today was a different story.  It was the Blenheim/Rondeau count and the weather was beautiful.  Perhaps too nice as birds were not plentiful.  That has been the story this year though since birds have left the province en masse.  Many people saw Eastern Commas today, the latest ever for most of us.  We saw one in the campground, but could not catch up with it for a photo.

We started with a productive lakewatch at dog beach.  Quinten Wiegersma and his father joined me for the third year in a row.  Lots of ducks were moving, but the highlight this year a waterbird called the Red-throated Loon.
As I have alluded to previously, this species has been in higher numbers the last couple of years, and this year has been exceptional.  We tallied 43 in our area (many more were tallied off Erieau and south beach), including a few farther down off south point.  This breaks the previous record of two(?) by a slim margin.  lol.
This is significant since Red-throated Loon has been recorded on the CBC only a couple of times.  A couple were seen in 1981, and in 2017, Quinten and I saw two..

There were lots of white-winged scoters this year, and quite a few Long-tailed Ducks far out.

We checked for the Gray Catbird along Lakeshore as we walked by, but came up empty.  However, on the drive back north, it was there!

I likes to be elusive!

During lunch at the VC, a flock of at least 16 Pine Siskins came in to the feeders.  Nice to see. NO redpolls there though.

The campground was dead when we went through.  We parted ways and I went back to south point.  I find it quite pleasant to walk mid to late afternoon on a sunny day.
I added a couple of species including a Hermit Thrush and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

I did see a sapsucker at maintenance.

I checked maintenance area again, but still could not find that elusive White-eyed Vireo.  Others saw it though, a new species for the Rondeau count. In fact there had never been a December record before.

I checked the first part of marsh trail, but it was quiet. I then headed north on Water Street, and saw birders congregating near maintenance.  I decided to check it out.  Allen Woodliffe had photographed a Barred Owl!
Unfortunately it had flown, but Jim and Steve got a glimpse of it heading north into the campground.  We went in pursuit and were about to give up.
I started heading back and heard a squirrel squawking that had me curious.  I soon saw the Barred owl fly out of a pine and eventually perch with a squirrel in its talons.  We had walked right by it.
Soon others arrived to see the owl.  What a way to end the day!  (no photo of this bird)
This is what they look like though:

At my campsite Awenda P.P.

The count turned out well with a 114 species for the count--a very respectable number.  White-eyed Vireo was new, Barred Owl exceptional, and Northern Waterthrush was once again tallied for this count.  The waterthrush was the one we found at McGeachy several weeks ago!  That Kiskadee had not been seen since about Monday unfortunately.
Other decent birds and some decent numbers were tallied for the day, as all participants had fun.

Thanks goes to Keith Burk for hosting the compilation at the end of the day, and Jane and crew for preparing the fabulous meal as always!

Rondeau Birding Area CBC December 17

Yesterday was the Blenheim/Rondeau CBC.  This count originally started back in 1939 by the long since defunct Kent Nature Club.  The 15 mile diameter circle has been adjusted considerably since then, but it has a long history.
I have data going back to 1968, and the numbers certainly have changed as one would expect.  For example, Red-headed Woodpecker was quite regular. A high of 114 was recorded in 1982!  This year there were none.
I have been doing this count since the late 1980's. I mainly do Rondeau Park south of the visitor centre each year.  Every year is different with regards to birds, and indeed the weather.  We have had all kinds of weather including gale force winds, balmy and no snow, lots of snow and perfect weather.  One year it was blowing and snowing all day, and I could not make it home past Chatham.  The Wheels Inn was quite accommodating to snowbound travelers!

Conditions were not the best for walking yesterday due to the deep slushy snow, but we all persevered to find some decent birds.
Last week's cold and snowy weather no doubt pushed out some lingering birds, but we managed a collective total of at least 98 species.  Undoubtedly, the star of this year's show was the long-staying Townsend's Warbler in Bate's.

Other decent finds were Red-throated Loon (2), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), American Pipit (seems regular anymore), and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Snowy Owls were once again high in numbers  This is the fourth winter in a row we have seen lot of Snowy Owls in the southern Ontario (is this going to be the norm?).
Ruby-crowned Kinglets seem more regular with a total of 8 yesterday.  We found two in our walks.
As well, Fox Sparrows are plentiful (I recorded 13).

I have had various people helping me over the years.  Maris Apse was a regular when he retired and moved to the area.  Another regular was Anton (Tony) Van Eerd.  We were interviewed by Simon Crouch in 2002 as this photo shows.

This year I was joined by Londoners Quinten Wiegersma and his father.  As the winds were brisk from the east, we started with a one hour lakewatch at dog beach.  I had never done this before, but it was productive as lots of ducks were moving--certainly adding to our totals.
Lots of Red-breasted Mergansers were on the move.  Quite a few Commons were seen as well.

Long-tailed Ducks were plentiful at dog beach.  I tallied 58 moving in the distance, which was rather incredible.  I usually do not see any on this count!
A few White-winged Scoters were on the move.

I was hopeful for a Purple Sandpiper, but it was not to be like a few years ago.  I would have called Jeremy Bensette first off, who was just outside the park!

We kept an eye on the lake as much as possible.  This view near the light beacon shows a good spot for shorebirds.  There was a lot of debris along the beach due to the relentless winds of late.

At the lookout on south point trail, we did spot two distant Red-throated Loons (we had one last year), which was a nice addition to the day's count.

The Eastern Towhee or Brown Thrasher did not show for us at the visitor centre while we ate lunch.  The towhee was seen earlier though--perhaps a returning bird each winter.

We checked the campground which was quiet except for a pure flock of 7 Fox Sparrows and a flyover flock of 55+ Common Grackles.  In fact, grackles were rather plentiful, as we had several at a feeder along Lakeshore Road (along with some Red-winged blackbirds).

Nobody had checked the maintenance loop where we tallied a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  Some distant birds were likely Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Quinten wanted to see the Townsend's Warbler, so I went back to south point trail where I upped the numbers of some birds we had already seen.  Included was another Ruby-crowned Kinglet which I could not focus on!

A couple more Red-breasted Nuthatches were working the trunks of trees.

American Tree Sparrows have been scarce this year so far.

Bald Eagles seemed to be migrating this day, and we saw five at once at dog beach.

Also in large migrating numbers, were Canada Geese.  Big flocks were seen over the lake, where I tallied about 750.  It was a gloomy morning (yes, weekend), so photos were not all that great.

The next count "our gang" will be doing locally is the Wallaceburg one on the 27th.

The Count is On

In less than 24h, the Wallaceburg 2011 CBC (Crazy Birder's Club) will be history.  Speaking of history, this count has been held since 1986 (I have been doing it since 1987).  I recall 1986, just out of university, but I was working 6 days a week, so could not do it.
Today I just checked out the St. Clair River.  It was sure unlike any previous year with lack of ducks and gulls.  Such a weird year with few birds anywhere!

weird gull

I started at Brander Park.  Just as I was about to leave there, a flock of 12-15 blackbirds came in and briefly alighted in the trees of the woodlot.  I never got much of a look, but I certainly heard several Rusty Blackbirds so I am not sure what else was with them.

Up at Lambton Generating Station, the Common Loon was all by itself preening on the water.  Not a single other duck in sight!

A twist to yesterday's loon....Steve Charbonneau saw a Red-throated Loon just downriver from LGS.  Wanting to see it, I headed up right away but only found a Common Loon in the area, as posted on my blog yesterday.








I will post another photo of my Red-throated from 2005 at the exact same spot! (the one and only I have ever seen on the St. Clair).










Things we will not see tomorrow are rafts of ducks such as Canvasback.  I hope they are still up north!

Owls are nice to find at any time, let alone on a count.  Snowy is a good bet tomorrow.  There were at least 3 in the circle on Saturday, so I hope at least one is found.

Short-eared Owl







Weather does not look all that great for tomorrow.  As usual, it looks like the worst day of the week for weather.  Last year was not too good either.  Never fails!


I wish...!!...

Tis the Season

Here we are in the midst of Christmas Bird Counts (CBC's) already. Difficult to get in the mood as we have had mild temperatures, virtually no snow and record amounts of rain.  A year ago there was a record amount of snow east of Sarnia and up Arkona way.  I suppose Hamilton birders are excited though with the unbelievable sightings there lately!

The first count I participate in is the Kettle Point.  I always join Pete Chapman in his home area around Arkona.  Last year we had limited walking due to the tremendous amount of snow, but we did find some birds.
Rock Glen CA, known for fossils, is at Arkona and in the past I did that in morning.  It is an interesting place and I recorded some interesting birds.  The trusty Ruffed Grouse was always there, but in recent years has vanished.  Quite often I would see a Golden Eagle soaring over the Ausable River.
Nearby one year, we found a couple of Savannah Sparrows at a roadside scrape (Seems to be a reliable habitat for that species in winter!)along with an "Oregon" Junco.
Last year Pete had the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at his feeder.  It finally vanished December 30.

The Kettle Point count is always followed by the Rondeau/Blenheim, so it is a tiring weekend.  At Rondeau I am on my feet all day, doing the south half of the park and looking for species that others missed at the north end (!).  We always seem to find something.  There used to be Ruffed Grouse in Rondeau, but not sure if that is true now.
I never had anything really spectacular there, but some things like Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher, American Pipit, Eastern Bluebird were notables in the past.





The windy year!

Hopefully wind will not be an issue on the Rondeau count.  Some years in the past we have had brutal winds!  One year I had to cover the south beach, and I could only go so far due to lack of beach and gale force winds.

Ruddy Ducks on St. Clair River

(rare for this area in winter!)

Wallaceburg CBC seems to like the 27th.  Colder weather is always better for this one.  I have been doing this one since I got into this birdwatching nonsense back in 1987.  I did not know what the heck I was doing, but came up with some pretty good birds I do recall.

Happy Counters at Duthill (1987)

(My photo was too horrible to post here)

The next couple of years I had some excellent birds in the yard.  In 1988 a Yellow-headed Blackbird came to the feeder.  The next year, as bizarre as this was, a Northern Shrike was hanging around the neighbourhood.  Unusual for within town.  Also in 1988 an American Coot was on the Sydenham within town (first for the count) and it hung around for a month.

This year, it will be interesting to see what we get.  Snowy Owls should be in the mix.  There have been at least three within the Wallaceburg circle lately.  We have only had one Sandhill Crane (2009).  The recent ones I have been reporting on, I have not seen since Monday.  Maybe they will show up on Walpole Island.

Speaking of that place, what about Northern Bobwhite?  We have not seen them in years.  the one year I did Walpole, I recall that Steve and I found a covey of them, not far from that Saw-whet Owl we almost walked by in open deciduous woods!  I heard that there are still some Bobwhite towards the south end of the island, but difficult to find.  Walpole is really the only spot left in Ontario that "wild" Northern Bobwhite still exist.  Occasionally I used to see them off the island as well, but not in many years.

Rondeau South Point

Weather looks fairly decent for this weekend.  A little breezy perhaps, but it has been windy all fall!