Pinery Things To Rondeau Things

 A couple of days ago I headed up to Pinery Provincial Park.  It was a gorgeous day to be out looking for birds, or just going for a walk.  My goal was to look for a Bohemian Waxwing or two, as there had been an influx of waxwings a couple days previous.  However, they must have left!  I could not find any waxwing flocks. Neither could other birders.

photo from the past

Lately, Pinery has been sparse for birds, and this day was no exception.  However, I did manage to get a couple of "year" finches.  Flyovers included a Common Redpoll (very scarce this year even in the 'near' north), and a couple of Red Crossbills.  Although rare this far south, the crossbills have been widespread since last summer.  

photo from the past

It was no problem hearing the Red Crossbill, as I got my fill last September on the Algonquin trip where they were everywhere and elsewhere.

Algonquin Red Crossbill

A popular spot for birds is at P9 in Pinery.  Black-capped Chickadees expect to be fed there!  Although I had no offerings, the chickadees landed on my hand, and even my camera.

Nearby Red Squirrel

A look off P9 towards the birdless lake

I nice walk was along the river beside Riverside Campground.  I have good luck in the past along here, but it was almost birdless as well.

Canada Geese on the Ausable

Later, I briefly checked out Ipperwash at the old MNR parking lot.  I found eleven Cedar Waxwings.....more than in Pinery!  Alas, no Bohemians either.

On the way home, I noticed many Red-tailed Hawks, many paired up.

Yesterday, I stayed near home in the morning, but it was so nice I headed down to Rondeau Park for an afternoon walk.

The best option was marsh trail, albeit very few birds to be found.  The Bay was still frozen, but some open water was within the marsh.  I walked all the way to Long Pond, then headed back.  

The walk back revealed a couple of decent birds, included a pair of Gray Catbirds.  This was rather unexpected, as none had been reported in the park this year.  Obviously they wintered nearby.  True to form, they remained skulky.

Not sure what this one was trying to say.....

Also, a Northern Shrike made an appearance.  At least one has been out there this winter.

Signs of warmth included this Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar.

Trailside, a cute Virginia Opossum was nibbling on a dead Racoon.

Along the trail, a Canadian Beaver was startled by my presence.  It had been sunning, so was dry, then took a dive.

Today was like April with balmy and windy conditions.  The temp went up to 15 C!

I stayed close to home, but saw very few birds.  Blackbirds have already arrived, and no doubt Killdeer are around.

I went for a long walk at Reid CA, then went to a private property west of Wallaceburg.  The trusty Eastern Screech-owl was absorbing some sun as it poked out of a duck box.  I only had the cell phone handy for a photo.

Withe the balmy weather and strong SW wind, it will be interesting to see what hops in this weekend.

Sunday Lakewatch

Lake Huron and the Sarnia Lakewatch was my destination early Sunday morning.  There was a moderate NW wind blowing, but not the greatest for a lakewatch at that location.  It died quickly.  However, I had to try since we do not seem to get good winds (let alone good weather) on weekends.

I met up with Sean Jenniskens before first light.  We were soon joined by Darrell Parsons and Scott Connop, two longtime Sarnia birders. It was actually fun talking about old times and birders from the past such as Dennis Rupert who was a fixture at this location.
Back in 2013, I wrote an article in OFO News about the Sarnia Lakewatch and referred to Dennis quite a bit.
Blog Post--Sarnia Lakewatch

There was enough activity to keep us interested, including several loons (two species), some grebes (inc. Red-necked) and many ducks.  Highlight was a young Little Gull, the first I had seen this calendar year.
Another highlight was the flyover of a Common Redpoll, first for the season.

All three species of scoter were seen.

Black Scoters riding the waves

Some early Tundra Swans flew over as well.

Here is our list:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist?subID=S49348530

After almost five hours, things died down quite a bit, and I moved east to Perch Creek Habitat.

At Perch Creek, I had another Common Redpoll fly over.  No doubt this was a sign of things to come in the way of finches this fall and winter.

Orange-crowned Warbler

On the way home, I stopped by Reid CA where the Sydenham Field Naturalists had a fall walk.  It was led by Larry Cornelis, and I assisted by talking about the butterflies that can be seen at this location.  I have had at least 54 species on the property, which is rather impressive.

We looked at trees and plants, or whatever was along the way.

Heart-leaved Aster

There is much Blue Ash here, which was somewhat resilient to the Emerald Ash Borer.  Several trees have survived so far, including some larger ones.

Blue Ash

Blue Ash is found all along the river corridor, but not far from the riverbanks.

Friday Frolicks

morning gull

It was just too nice today, so I had to leave work after lunch!  It was dead calm today and even at lunch time, the St. Clair River was smooth as glass.  A rare sight indeed.
This morning was foggy as I did my morning walk. Heard redpolls again.

Mississagi

I decided to check out Perch Creek CA near Sarnia this afternoon.  I did not find any roosting owls, but did flush a Great Horned as I walked the trail.  Another Common Redpoll flew over at one point.  Obviously there will be some around this winter!
The most interesting bird was a Brown Thrasher.  Never could get a clear view of it.
Also saw an Eastern Comma butterfly. It was quite warm there!

Next stop after driving back roads was the McKellar Tract on Bickford Line.  It can be a good place for owls, but it was quiet yet again.  Heard another redpoll fly over!
Down the road I checked out Moore WMA.  It was quiet at first for birds, but when a Merlin made an appearance I knew why.  Soon the birds started moving and I watched a nice group of chickadees, nuthatches, creepers and juncos.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler was feeding on Poison Ivy berries.  The warblers winter here every year making use of the ample supply of Poison Ivy berries.

The most interesting thing on the way home was a flock of 10 Muscovy-type ducks.  Not sure their origin!

(wrong lens, again)

Later, I arrived home and notice a female Purple Finch at the feeder.  Not a common bird here!

Whirlpool at Moore (not as good as Niagara's!)

Eurasian Wigeon and Rondeau

Headed down to Rondeau once again.  Birding was rather slow as many birds obviously departed during the week.  Not much photo opportunity either!  It was obviously the weekend as the skies were dreary again.
Little flying over this weekend compared to last.  No finch types other than a couple of Pine Siskins and a few Common Redpolls at the Visitor Centre feeder area.
A number of Carolina Wrens were around today in various spots.


No owls found in the park either.  No doubt there are some.  Saw-whet was heard in the campground a couple of nights ago by a local resident.
While scoping the Bay with Steve and Jim at the Rondeau Park dock, a Eurasian Wigeon was located.  Steve spotted this obvious male feeding with American Wigeon.  In fact, American Wigeon was the most common duck on the Bay.  Probably the largest number we have seen!
The last time I saw a Euro Wigeon at Rondeau was in December 2004!  Previous to that, there were a couple on the Bay during the time of the Tropical Kingbird back in November 2002.  (Was that ten years ago already??!).
Shorebirds included well over 100 Dunlin and up to 10 Wilson's Snipe at the corner of the Bay just outside the park.  Later, I had a couple of Killdeer at the end of Lagoon Road.
Lots of Northern Shoveler were around today, especially at the lagoons.

We thoroughly searched Erieau for Cave Swallows, but came up with zilch.  Along the R/R track trail, there were actually lots of sparrows to look at.  Several Fox, White-throated, White-crowned, Tree, etc.  Hardly any sparrows in the park.

The Erieau pier had lots of gulls including at least one Lesser Black-backed Gull.

After checking the Cedar Springs area (lots of bonies on the water), I went back to Erieau.  Still no swallows along the trail. I also walked McGeachy Pond dike.  Very little except a few fast-moving Chickadees.  The most interesting sighting was Josh Vandermeulen who was still unsuccessful with Cave Swallows to that point!
Earlier, heading towards Erieau, I spotted a Snowy Owl in the corn field near the corner of Bisnett and Fargo Roads.  First one of the season.

Sunday looks good for birding, and perhaps butterflies as well.

Nightjar Today

I went back to Rondeau today to meet up with Steve and Jim at south point trail.  It was a dreary day (and yes, the weather forecast was totally wrong AGAIN!).  Despite the weather it was a decent day of birding with some good finds.
Not too far along south point, we were startled as a "nightjar" flushed off the side of the trail.  Any member of this family in November is a good find so we started looking for it.  Shortly, I managed to find it again (not sure how I ever spotted it in the underbrush!).  We tried to get a little closer, but it flushed again and flew to perch high in a Pine tree.

It was obviously not a Nighthawk, and bit too small for a Chuck.  We assumed Whip-poor-will!  We checked books upon arrival at the parking lot and concluded it was a male Whip.  Nothing else seemed to fit even though we tried to make it so.
The last latest record for Rondeau is October 26, 1972 (Paul D. Pratt)!
I noticed that one was found in Michigan today as well and brought in for rehabilitation somewhere.

Walking back on the trail we heard a Red Crossbill fly over.
Up at the campground some White-winged Crossbills flew over (they sure have been on the move this week!).  A Common Redpoll flew over at one point.
No sign of the owl from yesterday.  Some geese flying over included a few Cackling.

We separated for a while then later met up on Craford Road west of Cedar Springs.  This is an excellent location for all kinds of birds.  When I arrived, a flock of about ten Evening Grosbeaks flew over and lots of "dickie" birds were around.  Brown Creepers were creeping over the gravestones in the cemetery!
There is a good overlook of the lake at the end of the road and lots of gulls, ducks, loons and grebes were present.

Next was a walk through the old McKeough estate grounds.  There is a pathway along the bluff that the locals use.  I have been there several times before as my uncle lives next to the property.
On our walk back I spotted a Saw-whet Owl sitting rather open!

(notice pine needle on face!)

It was a good hawk day so we stood in front of the cemetery there and watched dozens of Red-tailed Hawks among others head west.
At one point a flock of about 15 Red Crossbills flew by heading west!  Their distinctive flight calls alerted us to their presence.

Halloween Birding

With "Frankenstorm" approaching and these continuing gale force winds, things are getting pretty scary.
I decided to head down to Rondeau instead today to see what was around (or not!).
Lots of activity on the lake, as it usually is with high winds. Nothing of note but a possible jaeger off the east side.

(not a jaeger)

Needless to say, Pine Siskins were numerous again.  Not a lot of landbirds today--they cleared out ahead of this storm!
Steve, Jim and myself did a thorough walk through the campground.  Lots of sparrows, including juncos.

Highlight was our first Common Redpoll of the fall.  Probably a sign of things to come?

Thought was given to Evening Grosbeak as well.  It is a good time of year for wanderers, and there should be some around.  A few reports are coming in throughout southern Ontario.  (One at Leamington yesterday).  Ontbirds was littered with them today, but the same old story.  Once one posts about a particular bird, you get others posting about them in common and expected places.  They are rare down this way, but not so much farther east and north in the province.

Tens of thousands of ducks are on the Bay.  Must be a Eurasian Wigeon amongst them!  Or Cinnamon Teal?  Shrewbury has lots of mud.  A few Greater Yellowlegs and Dunlin were present among other things.

About a dozen Horned Grebes were off McGeachy Pond today in the calm water area.  And lots of gulls at or near Erieau.

Tuesday looks like the best day for a watch at Point Edward.  As usual it is midweek....

Upriver Ducks and More Finches

Sycamore Tree

Today was a rather leisurely day and I took in the annual Lambton Wildlife Downriver Ducks tour (upriver for me!).  As expected there was not a lot to look at as birds are so spread out this winter.
We started at Point Edward and admired the impressive 800+ Long-tailed Ducks out on the lake.  About 20 White-winged Scoters were out there including a "line" of 15 together.  Among the few gulls was a single adult Glaucous.

A few Long-tailed Ducks

We took a quick look at the Peregrine Falcon sitting underneath the newer Bluewater Bridge.

Sarnia Bay was rather quiet, but a Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser (resting on a rock), and an American Coot caught our attention.



South of Sarnia, the Hooded Mergansers were in their usual hangouts amongst the dock pilings off Suncour and Shell Oil.

At LGS, a Great Blue Heron was at the water outlet, and farther down, some keen-eyed observers spotted a Belted Kingfisher on a deadhead.

 

Lots of geese and gulls were off Cathcart Park, but not as many as I saw on the way up.  A smaller goose, likely a Cackling was amongst the Canada Geese.

I broke away from the group at this point and headed inland along Bickford Line.  It was a nice day to do some walking so I stopped at my usual spots.  First was Moore WMA, but as usual, the river was running high.  I noted at least four Northern Flickers (par for winter there) plus 3 other common species of woodpeckers.

Down the road I walked McKellar Tract and found the two Red-breasted Nuthatches quietly working the pines.  Later on they got noisy for some reason!
Little else there except when I was out in the open field to the west, I heard the familiar flight calls of White-winged Crossbills.  Although this is strictly a pine plantation, I always thought I would encounter crossbills there at some point this winter.  I saw about a dozen come in and alight in a tree in where I could not see them.  I went closer, but never did find them.

Red-breasted Nut

I checked out McKeough for owls.  Although none had been there previously, I finally found evidence in two spots of Long-eared Owls (whitewash and pellets).  No owls to be found after extensive searching!



This afternoon I just relaxed at home, and while looking out the window just before 5 p.m., a small bird came into the birdbath.  I thought I might as well check this out since since nothing (like most of the winter!) was at the feeder all afternoon.  I was surprised to find a single Common Redpoll.  It went to the ground and started feeding, obviously not familiar with nyjer feeders.  I found this last winter when a flock of redpolls came in for the first time.  They fed on the ground until they discovered the feeders.