Mid May Report: Many Birds Have Arrived!

 We have finally seen good numbers of birds while the weather has turned around to more seasonal.

This past Friday, I went to Rondeau Park to get in on the action.  Lots of birds and some good ones!

I did a long walk around the north central block, including a stint down to the old group campground.

The group campground can be quite productive, as it is a large open space in the middle of park.  It has not been used in at least six years.

It was fairly steady along the way.  In one slough, a long-staying Solitary Sandpiper made a showing.  I kept missing it on previous visits!

A few flycatchers had arrived, including Eastern Wood-Peewees and Great-crested Flycatchers.

I checked the beach off dog beach.  A lone Long-tailed Duck was beached!  I have seen this many times before.

At one point, I got word that a Lark Sparrow was working the lawn south of the Park Store.  Although quite co-operative, it was difficult to see at times.

In the same area, a Clay-colored Sparrow got in on the action.

Some butterflies were taking advantage of the warm sun, including this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Next day I headed down to Hillman Marsh, as I wanted to see the White-faced Ibis.  It has been around for some time, which is unusal for an ibis.  It was still present today.

I headed back along Talbot Trail and checked out the old rail trail and McGeachy.  There was not muct at all!

Then it was up to Blenheim lagoons before the rain started.  Among a few shorebirds, a large number of Wilson's Phalaropes were present.  Up to 17 have been counted,  but I only stayed long enough to count 11.  The impending storm shortened my stay.

Yesterday, I was close to home, but there were surprisingly few migrants to be found.  One of my stops was Mitchell's Bay.

The "south" trail just has not been producing yet this year.

In the afternoon, I took a short walk at Reid C. L.  I had not been there in two weeks or so!  Some Juvenal's Duskywings and Silver-spotted Skippers were flying, but they were completely unco-operative.  Too much flying around!

Today, I headed down to Rondeau quite early. It was very warm for a change.  I had almost forgotten what warm weather was like!

It was a fabulous day, as birds had finally arrived in numbers.  Lots of first-of-year birds were tallied.

New warblers included Mourning, Blackpoll, Wilson's, while some flycatchers included Yellow-bellied and Acadian.

I had no luck with photography today but I tried to get the Acadian.

Some birders managed to spot a roosting Common Nighthawk at maintenance.  Many of us went to view this bird, seen high in a tree.

Although I did not catch up with more rare birds such as Yellow-breasted Chat, it was nice to finally see or hear lots of birds today.

May Meanderings This Past Week

 Things are picking up, but it is still not booming with birds.  Perhaps the continuous cold weather has had some bearing.

I have been here and there and down to Rondeau a couple of times.  On Wednesday, I managed to scrape up 90 species in the park.  Lots of first-of-year birds of course.  There was a good variety of warblers.

Palm

Blackburnian

Cape May

At one point we got word that a Yellow-throated Warbler was seen at Bennett and Harrison.  We looked around, but could not find it.  A bit later, Steve found it along Lakeshore Road.  However, it did not stay in that location for the rest of us!.  After I left, it was found again along Harrison.....of course.

While hoping to find this warbler, I came across some White-crowned Sparrows around the churches.  One was of the gambelii type which was white lores.  It is an uncommon but regular visitor to Ontario from the west.

On Thursday the Yellow-throated Warbler, it was found again quite reliably along Harrison.  However that day I volunteer at the museum, so could not be at Rondeau.

Friday morning, I was at Rondeau bright and early and the first target was the subject warbler.  I soon found it singing high in some trees.  This bird was still around the next day as well.

It was too early and dark first thing to attempt a photo of the warbler.

(photo from the past)

The morning was clear and crisp.  I did a slow walk along south point trail (east) with some friends.

The Lonely Concrete Structure!

I covered quite a bit of ground in the park.

White-crowned Sparrow

Eastern Kingbird

Northern Flicker

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

In the afternoon I walked a bit out marsh trail  Found a Clay-colored Sparrow which had me stumped at first since I was looking directly into the sun.  Could not get a decent photo....

Saturday, was terribly cool along the lake.  I did not see anything of note, despite some effort in trying to find something!

Today was still cool (again!), but clear and sunny.  

I went up to Dow Wetlands first thing to see Sedge Wrens and a Clay-colored Sparrow.  Each have nested there in the past, so perhaps will again this year.

The Sedge

The Clay

I completely missed seeing Sedge Wren last year, so these were nice to see today.

A couple of Solitary Sandpipers were at Doug's Lookout pond.

I checked out some other spots for birds this morning, but nothing of note.

Oriole of the orchard

This time of year we see lots of blossoms and trees in flower.  One of my favourites is Redbud.  Most around here are planted, but nice to see none-the-less.

Another Week Already: Insect and Bird Encounters

 Obviously the summer seems to be going by quickly!  I have been making my rounds locally as usual.

This past Sunday, was nice as I checked out Dow Wetland first thing.  I wanted to see the Clay-colored Sparrows that are nesting there.  It did not take long to locate a singing male by its characteristic buzz song.

Last year we had Sedge Wrens nesting here, but not this year.  Dickcissels were previous to that, so there always seems to be something of interest.

Other nesting birds here include Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows.

On the way back home, I stopped by Reid CA.  I saw both Broad-winged Skippers and Dukes' Skippers, but very few.

Always on the lookout for moths.  I caught sight of this Lost Owlet.  It was lost in the sedges!

It was mid-morning by this time and already too hot and humid, so I went home!

The next day was hot, but less humid so it was more comfortable.  I visited a private property near Brigden to see what insects were around.  

Dukes' Skippers are doing quite well here, as we saw about ten.

No Broad-winged or Mulberry Wing this year though!

Very few dragonflies, as usual, but a few Mocha Emeralds were flying.  Always nice to see.

The very poor hairstreak year continues, as we only saw one Banded Hairstreak.

There were many Hummingbird Clearwings working the Wild Burgemot.

Tuesday seemed like a good time to go for an early morning walk at Mitchell's Bay.  Highlight was a group of twelve American Avocets flying by.

Interestingly, by mid-morning, twelve were seen at Blenheim lagoons!  We assume this was the same group!

Tuesday afternoon I went for a long walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  More Duke's Skippers were out.

I walked around the back field, but very few insects. It does not help that the farmer has sprayed twice, oblivious to what he is doing to insects.

Only one or two Monarchs, and only a single Question Mark.

Afterwards, I went for a walk, seeing very little.  I did find a single Flag-tailed Spinyleg for a first of year.

This mossy Map Turtle must spend too much time in the water!

Wednesday I went to Blenheim lagoons first thing.  Although lots of shorebirds, nothing of note.

Thursday started out gloomy with a very light drizzle off and on.  I drove up towards Courtright along the St. Clair River to where I heard a Dickcissel singing.  It was reported the previous day at the berm in front of the old Lambton Generating Station property.  They have been here in past years, so not a surprise!

It was still gloomy as I headed back and stopped by Reid briefly.  Seemed to be more Royal River Cruisers flying, and one finally stopped to be photographed.

I did manage to see a single Broad-winged Skipper in the usual spot.

Today, I gave Blenheim lagoons another go. There was not really much change since two days ago.  Lots of shorebirds, but no rarities.

It was such a fine day, I continued on to Hillman Marsh for a walk.  Lots of Broad-winged Skippers there, but little else.

Eyed Browns were in the usual spot by the boardwalk.

Viceroy

Hardly any dragonflies to look at there!

A single Solitary Sandpiper found a wet spot in the corner of the shorebird cell.

And that is it for this day!