Rondeau Ducks and Warblers

Just for curiosity, I went for some extensive walking in Rondeau Park this morning.  Recently, a Red-throated Loon was reported off the south beach.  Given that this species is quite rare at Rondeau at any time, this record was even more intriguing.  I did not see it today despite walking considerable distance out the south beach.

It is always an interesting walk.  The mosquitoes were not too bad along the way, and the walk was not too bad with the terrible erosion that has taken place since last year.  Once you get past a certain point, it is open and you get a good view of the Rondeau marsh.  You never know what is out there.

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Lots of Bonaparte's Gulls were out and about today.  All immatures of course.

At one point, a male Common Merganser flew by, then I saw a Red-breasted Merganser associating with the gulls.
A record shot of the Common Merg...

It flew farther west, then I saw it again on the beach.

After the long walk, I headed up to Tulip Tree Trail. Upon entering the mid section of the trail, I stopped in my tracks when I heard a buzzy warbler singing.  Turned out to be a Northern Parula!  It constantly sand at the tree tops, moving around a bit, but I never could get a visual on it. Just one of those odd early summer records.....

At the big slough, I managed to hear one Prothonotary Warbler singing, and another chipping.  Apparently there may be another nesting pair near Bennett Road in the park as well.  I checked there, but it was quiet with only Blue Dashers and Swamp Darners flying around.

The Acadian Flycatcher was still singing along Rondeau Road as I drove in this morning.  It took up residence back in May.

Just before leaving the park, I took a walk around the maintenance loop.  I found a bunch of red flowers which are called Bee-balm, or sometimes called Oswego Tea.

Next stop (after lunch) was Blenheim Lagoons.  Fall shorebirds should be showing up.  Just in from the gate, the male Canvasback flushed up.  It has been around for many weeks.

At the sprinklers, dozens of noisy Killdeer were present.  At one point I heard something different which I recognized as a Least Sandpiper.  It took a while to spot it, but there it was.

It took flight in the Killdeer frenzy, but I later found it along the middle sewage cell.  That cell also had the Greater Scaup from last week.

Weekend Is Here!

young male Common Goldeneye

After a dreary and dismal week weatherwise, the sun came out this afternoon for a pleasant day.  This bizarre weather (this winter) was really getting to me yesterday as the week came to a close.
The interesting thing this week was the "spring" migration of waterfowl, particularly Northern Pintail.  It seems to be an annual event at some point, usually around New Year's when a sudden mild spell spurs ducks from farther south to head north.  Pintails always seem to lead the pack.
Although I was working all week, as usual, I read with interest the numerous and multiple reports of waterfowl scattered throughout southern Ontario.  Certainly over 500 Northern Pintail were reported, and no doubt others were stuffed in between.  Ring-necked Ducks were also in the mix.
Locally I noticed an increase in Mallards, and today after work in the 'nice' weather, there were some plus a couple of Gadwall.  Quite often there is an handful of Gadwall on the St. Clair River each winter, but previous to today I knew of none until I saw two today at Sombra.

two Gadwall

Generally this winter, rather few ducks have been on the St. Clair River.  Most are Redhead (considerably less than 1000) plus a mix of others.  Common Mergansers seem to be the next most numerous species--more than usual compared to an average winter.

After work today, I drove up the river to Sombra then through the back country before the sun set.  As mentioned above, the two Gadwall south of  Sombra were notable.                                              

evening Red-tailed Hawk

I saw several Red-tailed Hawks--it has been a good winter for them around here, and three Northern Harriers in one field.  Down the road from the Harriers, was a group of approximately 20 Tundra Swans in a corn field.  No doubt they were influenced by the warm weather this week, as only a few have been wintering on the big river.


Tomorrow I will likely go to Rondeau.  White-winged Crossbills have been reported regularly there.  There seems to be a good number around the province this winter, and sightings have increased this past week.

The nearby Mountain Bluebird was still being reported yesterday.  Many photos have surfaced and a few are on the OFO photo page.  The bird shows a little more blue than we normally see, and it has brought up some discussion locally.

Quiz Time:  Can you identify this?