Guthrie Gulling

With the wacky weather upon us today, my plans were changed (stop looking at the forecasts!).  There was not much else to do except head up to Corunna and look at the gulls off Guthrie Park.  I ended up spending 2.5h hours there!  There was a good showing today with upwards of 2000 gulls and good variety.

Needless to say, most were Herring gulls, but there were several each of Iceland (including Thayer's), Lesser Black-backed, Glaucous, and of course Great Black-backed.

Yet again there was nothing really new, but it was fun to sort through the constantly-moving gulls.

I figured that there were five Lesser Black-backed Gulls of various ages, but I never got good photos of them.

It took a while before I saw Glaucous, and even longer before I saw an Iceland.  I saw at least five Glaucous.  Three adults, one 2nd cycle and one first cycle.

The first Iceland I saw was a biscuit-coloured first year bird.  Later I saw another first cycle, but obviously different.  There was also an adult.

After re-positioning, I spotted one that seemed to fit Thayer's-type or at least close.  A nice adult and I managed to nail a photo.

There was also a Herring X Great Black-backed Gull.  Possibly a third cycle bird which I did not get a proper photo since I got on it too late.  Different than the one I had seen earlier in the month.

After some time there, I left for home as there was not much else to do in gale-force winds!

Gull Mania At Corunna

This week, local birders have been checking out the St. Clair River at Corunna opposite the Shell Refinery.  Thousands of gulls have come in taking advantage of the warm water (where fish are plentiful) coming out of Talfourd Creek.
Probably 98% are Herring, but there are other mixed in such as Iceland, Glaucous, and Lesser Black-backed.  Even some hybrids such as the uncommon Glaucous X Great Black-backed can be picked out.  Who knows, something in the rare category may pop up!

Today, I left work a bit early and headed up the St Clair Parkway to Corunna for a quick check of the gull situation.

Off Guthrie Park, there were lots of gulls in close as I arrived.  Two adult Lesser Black-backed stood out right away as they were sitting on the water.
I did not have much time, as it was late in the day, and I had to get back to Wallaceburg.  However, it was a spectacle to see!  I did not have a camera on hand, so cell phone photos had to do.

From time to time, we get good concentrations on the river, especially in colder winters.  If the cold weather persists, we get some ice in the river.  I always find that gulls like ice!

photo from the past

It will be nice if they stay for some time, as there is not much else in the way of birds inland around these parts!

More Guthrie Gulls and Ducks Too

It was another frigid morning.  I checked out Perch Creek WMA first thing, but there was virtually nothing to be found.  It was too cold for a long walk anyway.  There simply is not much in the way of 'landbirds' this winter in my usual haunts!  Perch Creek, east of Sarnia is often a great place for a winter walk and to look for birds.

I decided to head out to Guthrie Park at Corunna where there is much action.  On the way, I noticed a Snowy Owl perched on a post, as well as the usual Northern Shrike at Ladysmith Line.  Each winter there is a shrike here!

LaSalle Snowy

Ladysmith Shrike

Upon arrival at Guthrie, Mike Bouman already had the place staked out.  After he departed for warmer climes, I took over and watched for some time.  It seemed to be a better day with better conditions and more birds.

A couple of Iceland Gulls were milling about.  They have been scarce this winter, while Glaucous Gulls are plentiful. 

I counted around 20 Glaucous Gulls during my stay.

Lots of Herring, a few Great Black-backed and a Lesser Black-backed were tallied.

There was no sign of any rare ducks, but a local Black X Mallard hybrid made a pass with its partner.

Other ducks made some passes.

While others were napping.

It was interesting to sit and watch the activity, as it was constantly changing.

Farther downriver, I encountered two Great Blue Herons at the OCF outflow.  They were FOY and seemed a bit out of place this winter.  I was not able to get photos though.

On to yet another week.....

Going Quackers

Today, I once again headed out to the St. Clair River.  It was a dull day with a bit of fog and drizzle so lighting was not good.  It will be nice tomorrow since the weekend will be over!

There were not many gulls on the river today, so ducks were on the menu today.

It was quite raw standing along the shore at various points.  Cathcart Park was again busy, but nothing of note.

Lots of ducks were off Lambton Generating Station again.  There were several hundred on my way back, but just as I was arriving, a ship came by and they scattered!

The same ducks were at Guthrie Park, Corunna.  Rather few gulls, but just as I was leaving one of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls suddenly showed up.

The ducks are finding lots of good along the shoreline.  Much of it was shad I think.

The high concentration of Common Goldeneye and Long-tailed Ducks still remains at the head of Stag Island.

I did find two different ducks there today.  However, they were hybrids!  First was the apparent Ring-necked X Redhead male blending in with its counterparts.

Just before I was to leave, I spotted another hybrid.  This may be a Ring-necked X Greater Scaup.  It had a greenish sheen to the head. However, there are known cases where a Ring-necked X Lesser Scaup hybrid shows a greenish sheen to the head.  The head shape is suggestive of Lesser Scaup as well.  Perhaps a look at the wing bar might be helpful.  In any case, it is a scaup hybrid!

Another decent day on the river!

River Ramble February 11

Today was one of the better days along the St. Clair River.  I spent almost 6 hours and only went to Corunna (Guthrie Park).  Ducks and gulls were numerous all the way along!
I did not see the Trumpeter Swans along the Snye River, but came upon 3 between Port Lambton and Sombra.  They were in mid-river and lighting was poor, so I did not get decent photos. Not sure if these were the same ones, but I thought there were two adults and one immature.
About 30 Tundra Swans were at the head of Fawn Island.

At the north end of Port Lambton, a Great Blue Heron was standing on the ice.  It was actually the first one I have seen this calendar year.  They certainly left early this winter!

Sombra area was good with lots of gulls.

Cathcart Park was once again busy with waterfowl.  It took a while to sort through them.

At Lambton Generating Station a multitude of gulls was riding ice floes in mid-river.  Included was an adult Lesser Black-backed.  I only got a "record" photo, as usual!

Four White-winged Scoters were off the intake of the plant.  There were numerous scoters in the river today, but it has been a good winter for them.  I heard that all three types were at the mouth of Lake Huron today.

Guthrie Park at the north end of Corunna was certainly the hotspot again where I spent almost two hours. A continuous raft of mixed ducks was along the shoreline.

Upon arrival, I spotted a female Ruddy Duck which hung around the whole time.  White not generally rare in winter, a Ruddy is a novelty on the river during winter.

A large concentration of Common Goldeneye, as well as Long-tailed Ducks was in mid-river.  I tried to find a Barrow's, but no luck!  We had one here last year.

Gulls were numerous and another Lesser Black-backed was riding an ice floe.  It had a slightly darker mantle than the others I have seen.

Among the many Herring, were at least four Iceland and two Glaucous.

Iceland Gull

With all the gulls this year, there have not been many of the white-winged variety.

I saw none of the Aythya hybrid ducks, but did find the usual Mallard X Black.  It was the second of the day with the other at Sombra.

Several White-winged Scoters were here as well.  I counted nine at one point.

Four White-winged Scoters

It was nice to look at the constant raft of ducks close to shore.

At Port Lambton, just before going home, I spotted the third Lesser Black-backed of the day towards the US side.

All-in-all it was an excellent day and perhaps I will head out again tomorrow!