River Runs and Other Findings

 I have not gone far lately, spending quite a bit of time along the St. Clair River and other places locally.  With more seasonal weather (for a change!), there has been more waterfowl on the St. Clair River.

Monday I found quite a few swans at the head of Fawn Island.  Most were Mutes unfortunately, but there were some Tundras.  One stood out though as a Trumpeter Swan, which has been increasingly more regular on the river.  It was still present today!

Long-tailed Ducks are the more common ducks along the river anymore.  I recall when it was a big deal to see one on the river!

And, a fair number of Common Goldeneye.

Afterwards, I drove some backroads and went for a short walk at Reid CA.  An immature Northern Shrike was along the road.  As usual, I was not in a position to get a decent photo.

Evidence of Pileated Woodpecker at Reid CA

Tuesday, I headed down Rondeau way for lack of any other idea.  It was too cold to do much walking, so it was mostly driving.  There was not much around, and some snow falling did not help.

Along Stefina Line, I saw the two Eastern Meadowlarks again, but as usual, they did refused to co-operate for any photo attempts.  I see them ahead, but then they fly behind me!

whatever!

Wednesday, it out the St. Clair River again.  It was clear when I headed out, and that old moon was shining bright.

There were even more swans at Fawn Island.  At least were 70 were Mutes unfortunately, but most were sleeping.  The Trumpeter was no doubt there, but I could not tell for sure with the sleeping swans.

Later in the afternoon, a Cooper's Hawk visited the backyard.  Hope it was hunting House Sparrows!

This photo I took very quickly through window glass, but it turned out quite well.

Today, it back out the river once again.  We had some snow and it was windy, so I did not want to venture far.

I stopped by Port Lambton first thing.  I noticed quite a few Redhead on the move or swimming.  No doubt the winter weather has put them into the river (the way we used to have it!).  Some Canvasback were amongst them as well.

A stope at Cathcart Park was worthwhile.  It seems to be one of the better spots of late.  I noticed a Glaucous Gull flying around, so I got out to get closer.

There have been very few white-winged gulls this year.

While scanning, I picked up on a Red-necked Grebe!  This species is quite rare at any time around here, let along this time of year.  It was a bit distant, but discernable by photo.

As luck would have it, a couple of seasoned Sarnia birders were only five minutes away.  They eventually got on the grebe.

I continued on up to Corunna.  Hundreds of Long-tailed Ducks at Mooretown as usual, but not much else.  There have not been many gulls along the river yet this winter.  I miss the days of hundreds of gulls!  It may happen yet.  Most are at Sarnia Bay it seems.

Later on and during one walk, I came across a cute little creature.  I came upon it suddenly, so maybe it was surprised to see me.

There was not much else the rest of my outing.  I drove back roads on the way home and barely saw a bird!  Stopped by Moore WMA and never saw a bird.  Usually this place is good in winter.  Goes to show how quiet things are this winter.

Debris Pile!

Winter Walks and Wanderings

 A couple of days ago I took a drive along the St. Clair River up to Willow Park.  Slush ice has almost filled the river due to the recent cold weather.  We did not see much of this last year!

Port Lambton

Some ships are still working including the Algoma Compass.  One of the nicer-looking ones.

Near the brine barge at Seager Park, I noticed an odd duck swimming about.  Turned out to be a Surf Scoter.  Not the most classic-looking one, but apparently it has been around for some time.  Of all the times I have been out to the river, this was the first time I encountered the creature.

We rarely seen a Surf Scoter in the St. Clair River!

Afterwards, I went for a  walk at Reid CA.  Hardly any birds as usual, but I enjoyed the fresh air and exercise, and always enjoy walking through the woods.

View from my favourite spot

Saturday, I joined the annual OFO field trip along the Detroit River.  I always enjoy this one since I rarely get down that way.

This year, we had more seasonal weather for a change!  There was a good concentration of birds around Peche Island, including about 36 Great Blue Herons on the edge of the ice.  They looked like sentinels! 

Lots of Hooded Mergansers were here.

A Trumpeter Swan, not all that unusual for here, was also seen.  A pair was Wood Ducks was a decent sighting.

There was a good concentration of waterfowl along the shoreline of Peche Island, the majority of which were Canada Geese and Mallards.  There were about 800 geese, but we could not pick out a single other species!

Here is a link to the eBird list for this location:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S208884570

Of course, I noticed the Bob-Lo boat Ste. Claire slowly taking shape downriver.  Although it does not look much different than a year ago.

Summer Memories!

The tanker Iver Bright flushed a couple of hundred Common Mergansers a bit downriver.

Our next stop, per tradition, was the Little River Corridor Park and the pollution control plant area.  There is always a concentration of ducks in the canal.  Among the hundreds of Mallards, were four more Wood Ducks.

Other birds included the expected Belted Kingfisher and a couple of American Robins.  As well, Jeremy Hatt spotted a junco which appeared to be an Oregon.

Here is a link to our bird list for this location:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S208919641

We then moved to the park.  At the parking lot, I spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk which all in the group were pleased to see.

There were lots of juncos and other birds in the park.  The highlight was probably the Hermit Thrush we saw.  Lots of Northern Cardinals as well.  One perched motionless right beside the trail.

There was no surprise like last year, when we found the Northern Waterthrush.  Things were quite frozen, unlike last year, so obviously any bird like that would be foolhardy to stick around.

Here is a link to the eBird list for this location:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S208901950

After this walk, I headed back home, as there was not much else that interested me further downriver.

I drove a few backroads on the way home.  There were hundred of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks as one would expect.

Today, I aimed my car towards Rondeau.  I first went towards Stefina Line.  Along Mull Road, I encountered a couple of Eastern Meadowlarks.  A couple have been seen further along Stefina, so not sure if these are the same ones.  There are bound to be more out there!  Unfortunately, I could not obtain proper photos.

It is always nice to see these in winter.  We have seen them along Stefina before in the past.

The Harris's Sparrow was still present as expected.

I had been itching to get out Rondeau's marsh trail for a long walk for quite some time.  The cold north winds of late were too unbearable to do this walk, but the winds switched to the south for a change.  It was actually quite pleasant as I walked out to the half way point.

View at the half-way boardwalk

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was still in the cottage area tirelessly looking for morsels of food.  Lots of Swamp Sparrows were encountered.  Nothing special seen during my walk, but it was just nice to get out there.

I decided to head homeward after this walk.  I thought of going to Erieau since there are now three Harlequin Ducks (!), but I bypassed that.

Another Guthrie Watch and Rondeau Area Birding

 Once again on Sunday I went up to Guthrie Park along the St. Clair River.  I first stopped at Cathcart Park, where one could find lots of waterfowl.  Some open water exists here and upriver to the OC outfall.  Much of it is inaccessible so who knows what lurks there.  The female Harlequin Duck was somewhere along there!

There was a cold SW wind on Sunday, so I spent much of the time in the car.  Lots of ducks were in close.

I found that there were more gulls this day.  I saw up to seven Glaucous Gulls.  

A nice adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was far offshore.

Soon after arrival, I spotted the Barrow's Goldeneye.  It moved around quite a bit during the morning, but most people were able to get a view of the bird.  At one point it came in really close!  I was not able to get any photos of it though.

Lots of Redhead and Canvasback were in close.

The Harlequin Duck I found on Friday has not been seen, but it is on the Michigan side!  That is where it hides from us.  It is actually a young male, so nice to have a couple of Harlequin Ducks on the river this winter.

Today, I had an extra free day, so went down Rondeau way.  I wanted to see the Wilson's Snipe, which I did first thing.

There is one guaranteed here every winter.  I think I remember the first Christmas Bird Count I did in the area, and it was one I remember seeing.  The creek never freezes even in the coldest times, as some underground spring feeds it.

Down the road, the three meadowlarks were showing well.

In the park, I did quite a bit of walking just for some fresh air and exercise.  Some Pine Siskins were at maintenance, but they were very high.

I encountered three Fox Sparrows in different locations.

Outside the park, some blackbirds and a Killdeer were found yesterday.  The Killdeer was quite obliging in another spot that never freezes.

I did see the Yellow-headed Blackbird, but some cowbirds, grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds were around.  At least I already saw a Yellow-headed Blackbird this year a couple of weeks ago!

Spring will be here in a few weeks!

Stefina Stuff and Just Ducky Along the St. Clair River

 We are in the dead of winter, but there are some birds out there to be found.  Friday I went down to Rondeau in the morning to look around.  It was rather quiet, but that was expected.  I wanted to check out Stefina Line near Blenheim on this day, so that was the next stop.

Some Eastern Meadowlarks were found along the road this week....a nice bird for mid-winter.  I found them right away, but was unable to get decent photos.

Seems there are quite a few around southwestern Ontario this winter.  Perhaps they stuck around with the very mild start to the winter.

The snipe was not visible in the creek....again, but this Great Blue Heron was feeding,

Several sparrow types were feeding along the roadside scrapes, including White-crowned.

I also saw a couple of Turkey Vultures before leaving the area.  They often winter in the Blenheim area.

I headed back home, but decided to head out to the St. Clair River.  Lots of ducks!

Stoke's Point had a good array of ducks.

There used to be a light here (Stoke's Point Light) and old foundation can still be seen.

Long-tailed Ducks were by the thousands at the north end of Mooretown.

I spent quite a bit of time at Guthrie Park, Corunna.  Nothing new in gulls, and white-winged gulls are difficult to find this winter.

On the way back, I found one of the hybrid Redhead X Ring-necked ducks at Cundick Park.  There was some snow most of the afternoon, so visibility was poor.

Today I decided to head back to the St. Clair River.  Seems to be more ducks, especially Canvasback.  They finally increased in numbers.

There is a good open spot at Fawn Island attracting waterfowl, including lots of Tundra and Mute Swans.  I was hoping for Trumpeter, but never saw one!

The hybrid was still at Cundick Park.

I spent most of the time at Guthrie Park.  Gulls were disappointing this morning, but ducks were numerous.

I headed back home via some back roads.  I had a nice walk at Moore WMA for a change.  Some Eastern Bluebirds were the highlight there.

Some of the usual dickie birds were present.

Farther east on Bickford Line, I encountered some more Eastern Bluebirds.  One of these days I will find a Mountain Bluebird!

I also walked McKellar Tract, but it has been very quiet this winter.