Stefina Snipe to Hillman Hawk to Snye Scenes

Today I planned to mainly drive around.  It was quite cold first thing this morning, but I ended up walking more than I planned!
I basically started on Stefina Line at the creek that never freezes.  Each winter, we have at least one Wilson's Snipe hanging out here.  This year is no exception, and the hardy shorebird was right near the road when I arrived.

Being not far from Rondeau, I checked Rose Beach Line.  Quite a few birds were along the way, but nothing of note.
I did not really plan on going into Rondeau Park, but I did anyway and did a quick look around the north end of the campground.  There were lots of birds around the north washroom.  Included were two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.  The first one clung to a tree right beside me!

Later, I saw two together.  The other was a dull individual but I never got a photo of it.

Many Cardinals and White-throated Sparrows were scratching around the bare spots.

That oriole is possibly dead by now.  Just as well, as I was the only one who could never find it!

I next headed over to Erieau and walked McGeachy and and the rail trail.  It was a very nice day, highly unusual for a weekend, so I had to take advantage.  The two Great Horned Owls were at their usual perch in the willows, and several Swamp Sparrows were around.

After a lunch in Blenheim, I checked the landfill.  I guess it is only good on weekdays as I could not find any gulls!  Just too many crows.

I kept heading west and ended up at Wheatley Harbour.  Lots of gulls and Common Goldeneye were to be seen, but nothing of note....again.

I went over to Hillman Marsh and walked around a bit.  Lots of American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos were along the road.  A Red-thouldered Hawk was a highlight.  Often one is in this area this time of year.
At the NE beach access, one could see hundreds of Common Goldeneye.  In fact, it seemed to be the most common duck today.

Lots of ice around now. 

Near home, I checked the Snye at the Walpole bridge area which is often good with the open water this time of year.  Later in the afternoon is best.  Lately, a Pied-billed Grebe or two have been around, but I could not find one today.
Just ducks...

St. Clair River and Sarnia

I went up to Sarnia for a change.  I have hardly checked out the area this winter due to lack of birds in that direction to catch my interest.  Yesterday after work, I went as far as Guthrie Park at the north end of Corunna.  I did not intend to go that far, but there was virtually nothing to look at until I got to that point!
Guthrie Park and the head of Stag Island is the hot spot right now.

Late Friday

Highlight yesterday was a male Wood Duck. I only had the G16 and looking into the sun was no good.

With the very frigid temperatures, lots of ice has come into the St. Clair River.  Sleeping ducks at the mouth of Talfourd Creek were frosted!  Warm water from Shell created a lot of steam.

There were lots of ducks and fairly good variety today, but I never found the Wood Duck.  It was far too cold with that wind today to do much walking.

A few Canvasbacks were mixed in with the Redhead, but they are virtually absent this winter on the river.

At the head of Stag Island, there were a few hundred Common Goldeneye.  Probably a Barrow's was there, as there has been at least one reported in the area on the Marysville, Michigan side.  The ducks were just a bit too far to get much detail.  The bright sun did not help for glare and shimmer.

There are not many gulls, but at one point about 100 were sleeping on ice floating down the middle of the river.  All Herring except a few Great Black-backed and one immature Lesser Black-backed nearby.

One small patch of open water remained at the Sarnia Marina, mostly full of Redhead.  Other ducks were in and around the north slip in the remaining open water.  It was difficult to get a good look at them.  A pair of Ring-necked Ducks was there.

Saginaw and Manitoulin

From under the Bluewater Bridges, one could see quite a few Long-tailed Ducks just out in Lake Huron.  An Iceland Gull is still hanging around.

Inland it was quiet and still hardly any birds at Moore WMA.  A very strange winter!