Some Thanksgiving Weekend Birding

 

I have been out the last couple of days looking around for birds.  It has been somewhat uneventful but one has to get out and try!  Still lots of leaves on the trees, so birds hid well.

Friday morning I started with a lakewatch at Rondeau.  The wind was not ideal, but it is always a good way to start the day at this time of year.  Lots of gulls were moving and a variety of ducks, but nothing of note.

We checked out south point trail afterwards.  Blackpoll Warblers seemed to be the dominant bird in the warbler category plus Yellow-rumped, but few other species.

Palm Warbler

Lots of Pine Siskins were flying overhead.  Soon we should see some Common Redpolls as many have been reported a bit farther north!

After the birding in the park, I stopped by Keith McLean Conservation Lands.  I spent a good amount of time there, as things are always changing.  Lots of birds fly overhead here, and one can get a good look at the sky.

Dunlin were the dominant shorebird, with a few other species mixed in.

Lots of Savannah Sparrow were in the weeds, and we were successful in seeing a couple of Nelson's.  They are often difficult to photograph, but this one co-operated nicely!

A lingering Sora was the other noteworthy bird.

Some butterflies were in the weedy area, including this Common Painted-Lady.

Several Bronze Coppers were seen.

Today, Point Pelee was calling, so I headed there on a stiff SW wind.  There was a fair bit of activity at the Tip, but once again nothing of note.  Many of the gulls were far out, as has been the case most times this fall.

There is a decent sand spit, and today there were three "islands" that the gulls were happy with.

A Peregrine Falcon made several appearances at the Tip.

At one point, I noticed a Savannah Sparrow lurking around the rocks at the Tip.

Lots of Turkey Vultures were riding the wind.

After a somewhat disappointing Tip Watch, we headed north.  A good amount of time was spent at De Laurier.  

Last weekend a Plumbeous Vireo was present, and all this week many birders were looking for it with no success.  However, it was probably still around.....somewhere!

The trail was busy, but a bonus bird made the day.  A Northern Saw-whet Owl was spotted by some keen observers.  Notice its lunch to the left!

There was a fair bit of activity at the back along the boardwalk to keep us busy.

To the north of the parking lot, a Cloudless Sulphur has been hanging out.  I noticed it travels widely, but I did manage a record photo.

At the parking area, there were lots of sparrows to watch as I ate my lunch.

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Then, it was time to jet, as too many tourists were invading the park on this holiday weekend!

Sulphurs on a Cloudless Day

 Friday I opted to go to Point Pelee.  The wind was not good for a Tip Watch but that is where I started!  You never know what may appear, so it was worth a try.  The skies were clear and it was one of the nicer days we have had lately.

I had butterflies on my mind as well since an Ocola Skipper showed up in a yard in Sarnia this week!  After the Tip watch, I had plans to check out some areas for butterflies.

There was not too much movement at the Tip.  A number of Sanderlings were scurrying around, and the only other shorebird type was Semipalmated Plover.

A couple of Ospreys showed up, with one offering a good photo op.

At one point I caught sight of a Prothonotary Warbler coming back in, probably the best bird of the day.

Later I headed up west beach trail.  Hackberry Emperors were very numerous, and during the course of the morning I saw over 200!

Several Orange Sulphurs were flitting about plus Red-spotted Purple and the odd crescent.

There was not much variety in butterflies, as has been the case this summer, but at one point I caught sight of a large yellow one.  I immediately recognized it as a Cloudless Sulphur.  As plain as it is, I find it attractive.

This species is usually on a mission and never stops, but luckily it did at one point as seen above.  I have seen a few of these at Point Pelee over the years.  I even had one pass through my yard in Wallaceburg a number of years ago!

Common Painted-Lady has been showing up all over lately.  Earlier this year there were hardly any!

There were virtually no birds along the west side, so later I walked De Laurier and Anders Footpath and Cactus Field.  I encountered a good flock of birds along Anders that kept me busy for a while.

flycatcher with a Great Crest

Today I went down to Rondeau Park and found a decent fallout of birds along south point trail.  I found about 17 species of warblers and lots of vireos.  Blackpoll seemed to be the dominant warbler today.

The White-eyed Vireo was still singing in the same spot today.  I even saw it this time!

Others have looked for this bird to no avail.  Seems to be an early morning creature of habit, as I have no problem finding it!

Later in the walk, the best warbler of the day was a Golden-winged.

After finishing in the park, I went over to McLean's.  A number of shorebirds were near the road, including a Wilson's Phalarope.

A total of seven Stilt Sandpipers were visible at one point, plus a couple of dowitcher and others.

A bout of sun at home brought out some butterflies.  This tattered Giant Swallowtail stopped by.

Another Common Checkered-Skipper briefly stopped in.  Seems I get several of these coming through.

The rest of the day was rather cloudy and a bit of rain, certainly not expected!  And depressing.

Quality Birds at Rondeau and Weekend Activities

It is an interesting time of year as you never know what will show up.  Most of the warblers and vireos and other passerines have moved through, but some decent birds will show up. As well we look for "late" birds.
I headed down to Rondeau Park early this morning and was the first birder to arrive.  I set up shop at Dog Beach as usual for a lakewatch.  There was a very stiff SW wind--not the best for the location, but it was evident there would be lots of birds going by. Dog Beach is the best spot for a lakewatch at the park.

Soon after arrival, I caught sight of an interesting bird.  It was quite distant and lighting was not the best due to the early hour, but I determined it to be a juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake.  The black carpal bar and size was evident.
I was wondering where the other "regular" birders were, but just as the kittiwake was going out of sight, they had arrived at the parking lot.  Too late!

We stood vigil for some time and at one point a dark-mantled gull appeared.  Size was apparent and we concluded Laughing Gull.  It actually appeared several times.  I can best describe it as a second-winter plumaged gull.  There was not really a good opportunity to photograph the bird due to distance.

Then the loons started coming.  In bunches. Perhaps over 150 went by or were swimming at Dog Beach.  (A large number were swimming at the north end of the park as well bringing a total to over 200 birds).  And no Red-throated.  We have almost given up on Pacific as there is no record for Rondeau!

We walked south point trail, but not much was seen there except Yellow-rumped Warblers and one Blackpoll.
A good number of birds were along Harrison Trail north.  I added a Nashville Warbler to the list.
I found some Closed Gentian, past its prime, in a known location.

While I was near the pony barn, I received a message about a Franklin's Gull at the north end of the park.  Interesting that showed up as well.  Steve Charbonneau found the bird and I soon arrived to see a first cycle bird.

A few days ago, Steve found a Eurasian Wigeon at Erieau behind the fire hall.  (It is nice to be retired!). That was my next stop.  I found it after less than ten minutes of searching.  There are thousands of ducks on the Bay right now, so who know what all is out there.  Most are distant.

There is also a weed mat out from the fire hall which shorebirds and gulls are taking advantage.  There were 20 Caspian Terns on it today--a good number for this date.

Blenheim Lagoons had no shorebirds except for some flyby Killdeer.  Some swallows were present including 2 Barn.

Yesterday we had nice weather and many of us were at Point Pelee for a special day. I arrived early for a Tip watch.
There was a decent SW wind, but nothing of note showed up!

Sunrise at Point Pelee Tip

It was a day to remember and share stories about the legendary Alan Wormington.
We had a nice walk through the woods as well.

While we were all having a fabulous lunch at Blue Heron, a Cloudless Sulphur flew through, much to the delight of Bob Curry.  Bob had never seen one before!

Bob looking for the Cloudless Sulphur

Here is a photo courtesy Kit McCann.

After lunch I headed over to Hillman shorebird cell to look at the reported Hudsonian Godwit and Cattle Egret.  The egret was a "year-bird" of course.

Just after I left, a Fish Crow showed up...............cannot get 'em all!

Another Cloudless Day

Eager to get out for birding, I headed down to Rondeau Park early this morning.  It was a big kinglet day as the park was littered with both species of kinglets. Later on I saw a Ruby-crowned with a leg band.  I could not get on it for a photo though.

puffed up kinglet

Of course there were hundreds of Yellow-rumped Warblers as well.  Steve Charbonneau and I sorted through lots of birds and came up with ten species of warblers.  There were several singles though including Northern Parula and Blackburnian.  Several Blue-headed Vireos and a Red-eyed as well.

One of a couple of Black-throated Green Warblers today

Later on I checked out Blenheim Lagoons and the same shorebirds as last evening minus the dowitcher were present.  Several pipits were there too.

I refound the Bronze Copper, but not the Least Skipper.  The skipper is actually quite late!

Some Buckeyes were working the fleebane as well.

Most of the ducks were Ruddy (at least 600).

Checked out McGeachy Pond dike as well.  Just after I started walking I noticed a very large bright yellow butterfly coming towards me.  I knew instantly it was a Cloudless Sulphur!  It kept going west, so I was unable to photograph it.  Maybe a first for Erieau, but it is on the historical list for Rondeau Park.  I am sure the Cloudless has not been seen in recent times there.
At least I seem to do well with butterflies!

Here is a caterpillar I found at the lagoons.  Can anyone name the species?

Asteroid Moth caterpillar

A Cloudless Morning

A brisk SW wind was forecast for this morning, so I headed to Point Pelee Tip!  I was there early and lots of gulls were loafing on the Tip and many flying about.  A Lesser Black-backed Gull stood out right away and I noticed at least one first cycle LLB, errr, LBB towards the end.

I was soon joined by some of the 'regulars' and we stood watch for a few hours.  It did not pan out like we had hoped though.  A Red-necked Phalarope came in and swam for a while on the west side.  It eventually disappeared, but it or another came in later on and swam on the east side.  It is time for Red Phalaropes to appear, but this was not the case today.  However, Kevin McLaughlin saw a Red on the west side opposite the VC yesterday.

Quite a few Sanderlings were around today.  Before others arrived, three Semiplovers were working the sand.  Here is one:

A Baird's Sandpiper stayed the whole time.  Apparently it has been around a couple of days.  Always an attractive shorebird!

At one point we saw an early Surf Scoter heading west!  Not sure the earliest date, but we do not usually see them till the first of October.  Earliest for me anyway!

A number of warblers and others birds were along the road as I walked to the Tip this morning.  I did not look too much for them as I hoped to see some butterflies today.

After the Tip Watch while waiting at the tram loop, Richard, Alan and myself had a look at a Cloudless Sulphur!  Alan spotted it coming along the road from the west side and flew past us down the trail.  This species is always on the go and often impossible to photograph.  Just the other day, Alan, Mike Nelson and Kevin saw one at the Tip.  Here is a link to Alan's photo on Ontario Butterflies:
Cloudless Sulphur
It is a rather large bright sulphur that is unmistakable!  They usually appear in September through October and in the spring late May into June at Pelee.  Quite rare in Ontario actually!

Later I met up with Steve Pike along west beach trail.  A few butterflies and dragonflies were around, but not as many as we had hoped.  We later checked out De Laurier homestead and found some warblers to look at.
After lunch I headed out of the park checking a few spots along the way.  I stopped at Tilbury lagoons in hopes of seeing the Snowy Egret.  I could not find it, but 8 Great Egrets were present.  The Snowy was present late yesterday, so could still be in the area.
I even stopped at Lighthouse Cove and saw more Great Egrets.

This evening I took my supper out to Stewart Wetland.  Not much there, but a Solitary Sandpiper was working the mud.  I saw two Sandhill Cranes along the way, then out at Port Lambton, seven flew over the river and past Algonac State Park.  First time I have seen some at the St. Clair River!  Did not quite have my camera ready....

This ship was upbound while I was at Port Lambton.  Saw it in Pelee Passage early this morning!!

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East Side Hiker