A Duck In Tuf(ted) Weather

 Saturday was quite gloomy, foggy and drizzly, typical of weekend weather.  I opted to head to Rondeau Park to see what was around despite that.

I walked Tulip Tree trail, then south point trail (west).  There was nothing special that came along.  More sparrows have come in as expected.  No warblers though!  I suppose things are a bit more normal this year compared to recent years with the cooler weather.

Several Blue-winged Teal were in the sloughs.

Along the trail, I always notice this oddly-formed tree.

Before leaving the park, I started walking the campground.  Soon after, I got word of a Tufted Duck at Erieau.  There was light rain anyway, so I did an about-face!

It was a must-see bird, as there has only been one other record in the area to my knowledge, and almost all of us have not recorded one in the Rondeau birding area.

Upon arrival at the entrance to the marina, and during heavy drizzle, the subject duck was easily seen!

It was a perfect male, obvious as to species.  It was in company with its distant cousins, Lesser Scaup.

Certainly a nice addition to our Rondeau area bird list!

On the way out, I stopped by a spot along Erieau Road where a male Yellow-headed Blackbird was being seen.  As soon as I got out of the car, I heard it sing a couple of times.  However, I could not get a visual!  I suspect it was tight in the phragmites.  A light rain was falling complicating matters, so I eventually left.

Today, we did not get any precipitation, but I went back to Rondeau Park.  It seemed even quieter than the previous day, and nothing notable was seen.

Eventually, I heard that the Tufted Duck was still being seen, along-side a Harlequin Duck.  Had to go to Erieau again!

Both ducks were almost side-by-side in scope views.  They were a bit distant, so I did not attempt any photos. Nice to see these two at once.

Back on Friday I stayed fairly close to home on a sunny day.  It got fairly warm in the afternoon, so I went up to Reid CA.

With the ridiculous amount of rain Wednesday night, rivers and streams were running very high, and fields flooded.  There was limited walking at Reid due the flooding river!

I could not go my usual route of course, and was not able to get past the low spot on the main trail.

Old River Channel

I was able to get over to the Lily Bush on high ground though.  It was quite nice there, out of the wind.  Most of the birds were there anyway, what few one gets at Reid.

My first migrant Yellow-rumped Warbler of the spring was among them, but it was too busy feeding to pose for a photo.

I just admired the scenery.

One of the large oaks

Spring has been off to a good start with some decent birds.  Hopefully the trend continues!

As 2023 Ends

 Here we are at the end of yet another year.  It was a decent year with lots of good sightings and occurrences.  It was not the best year for butterflies and dragonflies, as I missed many things because they were absent or in low numbers.  

It was disappointing for dragonflies, especially at Wardsville Woods.  But, I lucked out on a couple occasions getting specialties like Arrowhead Spiketail and Twin-spotted Spiketail on one day.  Another day, I managed a single Riverine Clubtail!  I was lucky to get the photo of the Riverine.  There was hardly anything there that day, and I saw this fly in.  I took a very quick photo, then it was gone!

Riverine Clubtail

Arrowhead Spiketail

Twin-spotted Sandpiper

There were some other good odonate sightings such at the Westfall's Slender Bluets at Port Lambton's Brander Park.

Birds this year were pretty good, but not as spectacular as the previous year.  However, for someone who does not "chase" birds, except locally, I did quite well.  I almost made 300 in Ontario, but there were some sore misses.  I missed Summer Tanager, even though it was an exceptional spring especially at Rondeau.  I went to Rondeau quite a bit, but the days I did not go was when they were seen!

This fall, Purple Sandpiper was a sore miss.  There were multiples at Erieau/Rondeau, but I missed some by less than thirty minutes!  Today was a good example of another miss.

And, do not get me started with the Roseate Spoonbill at Springwater CA!

A couple of lifers were a nice addition.  This fall, the Western Flycatcher (if accepted) at Rondeau was certainly not on the radar.  It will potentially be a first for Ontario.

The recent Limpkin at Wheatley Provincial Park was another unexpected bird.

The male King Eider and Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler at Rondeau Park were nice finds.

A Harlequin Duck was seen at Erieau yesterday, and I knew it would likely be present again today.  I went to Mitchell's Bay first thing for a walk along the south shore trail.  While I was there, a Purple Sandpiper was seen at the Erieau pier, then a bit later the Harlequin Duck was found again.  On to Erieau!

Upon arrival the Harlequin Duck was not a problem as I could see it from my car as I parked.

The Purple Sandpiper was at the end of the pier earlier, but obviously disappeared before I arrived.  In any case, the Harlequin was a nice way to end the birding year.

A bonus appeared in the form of a Snowy Owl.  They have been extremely scarce this fall in southern Ontario and I was under the impression that I would not see one.  The Erieau bird was a bit distant, but showed well.

I have seen various Purple Sandpipers at Erieau before.  Here is one I found on the pier about 15 years ago.

Tomorrow, New Year's Day, is the annual St. Clair NWA Christmas Bird Count (CBC).  I went to Mitchell's Bay this morning in anticipation of seeing what was around.  I was going to check various spots before word came in of the Erieau birds.

Great Blue Heron at Mitchell's Bay

One of the trusty Eastern Screech-owls was keeping watch.

Yesterday was the Skunk's Misery CBC under cloudy skies, but at least no precipitation!  Looked like there was some sun well to the south, but that never materialized in our area.

I worked the Thamesville area, but I found it one of the quietest counts I have done there.  Very disappointing.

The Thames River was running unusually high.

View from under Victoria Road Bridge

However, the count overall did quite well, breaking 60 species, though I did not get the final results yet.  I heard that Ring-necked Duck (multiples) and Common Raven were new for the count.  Common Raven is not a surprise, as they are getting numerous in Lambton.

The count covers parts of four counties which is unique.  The area was well-covered by many veteran birders.

As a new year dawns, tomorrow's CBC will kick things off.  There should be lots of waterfowl, as there is absolutely no ice.  Some lingering birds will be lurking around in this mild weather.

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In the history department, the Algoma Transport was on her final voyage from Superior Wisconsin yesterday.  She will be going to Port Colborne for the scrap lineup after discharging her last cargo at Hamilton.  These more "modern" lakers are already going to scrap!

Algoma Transport at Port Lambton 18 April 2023

Recent Lakewatches and Things In Between

 This week I attempted some lakewatches at different locations.  It was not a good week with the camera, as I could not get on things to photograph, or the camera simply did not co-operate, lol. Hence, some photos here are from the past!

Tuesday was a rainy day, so the only option was to go to Erieau and stand under the pavilion at Laverne Kelly Memorial Park.  It is an excellent spot on a rainy day when winds are from the east.  One is somewhat protected from the wind and rain!  And there are picnic tables for convenience.

A look at the pier area showed it was not a good place to hang around.

Erieau Pier Area

There were lots of ducks moving, but no standouts.  Highlight was when Steve spotted a Red Phalarope heading east, low at the surf line.  We had good looks to  determine the species.  Perhaps it ended up at the pier area.  It is always nice to see the rarest of our phalaropes. It seems to be a good year for them, as there have been quite a few in southern Ontario reported this past week.

Pelee Bird

Wednesday I did not go too far.  The annual showing of Sandhill Cranes west of Wallaceburg continues.  It is interesting that these creatures come from Michigan every morning, then depart later in the day for the night.  We have had over 100 at times.

The St. Clair River has been extremely quiet this fall any time I have been out there.  One of the few classic lakers left went by Port Lambton one morning.

CSL Tadoussac

Thursday looked good for a lakewatch at Rondeau's dog beach.  Nothing spectacular though.......once again.  Hopefully it will be a decent day on December 17, when the Blenheim/Rondeau CBC takes place.

Checking the campground afterwards, there were quite a few sparrow types and others.  A Blue-grey Gnatcatcher seems to be stuck in the campground, working the north end mostly. We usually get a late one here every year.

I attempted to photograph it, but for whatever reason, the camera would not focus.  Just one of those days!

Ruddy Ducks are hanging out on the east side as they usually do this time of year.  There were close to 1000 when I looked on Thursday.

After leaving the park, I stopped by Keith McLean C. L.  Some Dunlin were still kicking around, and a lone Black-bellied Plover was prancing around the little island.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at a local property.

Screech owl poking out of this box!

Today, there was a strong NNW wind, so you guessed it, I headed up to Ipperwash.  Upon arrival, the sky was littered with Ring-billed Gulls, perhaps numbering close to 3000!  I attempted a photo with my cell phone, but it is difficult to see the gulls here.

The lakewatch was quite lame with low numbers of ducks moving and not a lot of gulls after the initial movement.  At times, there was nothing to look at!  Difficult to figure out sometimes.

Afterwards, I ventured up to Pinery P.P.  I do not go there that often anymore.  It is just not the same as it used to be, as there are very few birds anymore, or so it seems.  Looking at other's eBird lists, it is the same thing.

I was on the hunt for waxwings, especially Bohemian.  I finally found a big group in Dunes campground.  I only had a brief period of time to sort through, but I did find a couple of Bohemians.  Before I could get a good look, a Sharp-shinned Hawk came through and the flock took off.  Just my typical luck.

At Erieau a few years ago

Other than that, there were very few birds to be found.

I stopped by McKeough CA for a short walk just before getting home.  It too was rather quiet today.  A few juncos were kicking around.

More May Meanderings (May 19-24, 2020)

Migration was in full swing this week with some decent days.  Some days were hopping, while others were rather slow as birds are in a hurry to their breeding grounds.
On May 19 I went to Rondeau in the morning under sunny skies.  A good variety of birds were seen including a Golden-winged Warbler along Harrison Trail.

A while before that, I encountered an insect-like buzz which I recognized to be a Worm-eating Warbler.  However,  it was about two sloughs back and there was no chance in seeing it!


On May 20 I checked out Reid CA early morning which turned out to be rather quiet.  Breeding birds certainly had not arrived in big numbers yet.  However, I did find a Wood Thrush on a nest!

Waterfall at Reid CA!

On May 22 I decided on a change in scenery and went to Skunk's Misery.  I drummed up ten singing male Hooded Warblers which is about right for there.
Ovenbirds were singing all over and the count tripped the eBird filter!
Great-crested Flycatchers were numerous, but I failed to turn up an Acadian Flycatcher in a usual spot.  Perhaps it was farther back out of range.

Shy Blue-winged Warbler

While in the neighbourhood, I took a quick look around Wardsville Woods.  Blue-winged Warbler is always there, and last year I found a "Lawrence's".  This year, I thought I had just seen a Blue-wnged, but it had yellow wingbars which indicates a hybrid.

Saturday May 23 I went to Rondeau and it was a good choice as it was one of the better days that one could wish for.  Large numbers and varieties of birds were present.
I started on south point for a change, but walked the edge of the woods along the dunes to avoid all the water.  Lots of birds along the way kept me busy.  I distant bird over the lake caught my eye at one point, as it got closer, I realized it was a swan!  A Trumpeter Swan was indeed an odd sighting for the location and time!

I did quite a bit of walking on Saturday, probably at least 20 km, as my sore feet can attest.  Birds were everywhere so no matter where one went, there was something to look at

Flycather with a yellow belly

At one point I found an Acadian Flycather calling for "pizza".

I decided to walk down the west side of south point trail which I do not often do.  Near the end, a Prothonotary Warbler was singing and possibly on territory.  This is where we used to find them when I first started birding, before we knew anything about birds in the park!

At one point along the trail, I encountered a tiny snake which I thought was a Fox Snake before I took a closer look.  Turned out to be a Northern Watersnake in the middle of the woods!

Just a baby!

Many species were in big numbers especially Tennessee Warblers (60+ on my list!).  Several Pine Warblers are still around which leads one to believe they may stay to nest.  They have in the past.
Swainson's Thrushes were all over the place and one birder was all "thrushed out" by mid day.

While walking through the campground with a couple from Leamington, I saw a White-crowned Sparrow.  They are getting scarce by this date, but I recognized it as a "Gambel's" type.  I usually try to look for these each time I see White-crowns--they have a white lore.  I have seen several of these over the years.

After 3 p.m. I was getting tired and decided to head home.  A ways up Kent Bridge Road I heard that the Erieau Rail Trail was hopping with birds including some decent ones.  However, I was too tired to turn back!

Today, I went back to Rondeau and it was rather quiet.  As the saying goes, "here today, gone tomorrow"!  The weather was just too nice and birds were anxious to head to the breeding grounds it seems.
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were in good numbers today, often in pairs.

"Screech" the owl was still keeping watch from his hole along Bennet Road.

Near the north end of the park, a Connecticut Warbler was spotted along Lakeshore Road.  It took some time to relocate the bird, but we managed to get a look at it.  Photos were less than ideal.

I wanted to add some shorebirds to the list, so I went back to south point and checked out the beach.  Whimbrel was high on the list, and oddly enough, a single Whimbrel took off just as I arrived!

Next on the agenda was Erieau.  I struck out on the reported rarities (just bad luck!) but there were lots of birds to look at.  Included was an obliging Hooded Warbler.

A few more Whimbrel were in the field to the north of McGeachy Pond.  I did not see any large flocks yet this year.

It  was a good week, and still lots to come, but migration will soon be behind us. Keep looking up!