Ravenous Friday

 Not much to report this time around as the horrid weekend weather continues.  Friday was not too bad for birding in the Rondeau area.  I did Rondeau Park, Shrewsbury and Erieau.

There were not a lot of birds, but I did get a couple first-of-year.  Finally saw an Eastern Phoebe this year!

I walked the campground with Steve.  Highlight was a Common Raven!  While this species is expanding its range south, there are not too many records in the Rondeau Birding area.  All park records are in the fall, plus a few winter/spring records outside the park.

I have seen three previous in the park (17 Nov 2012, 13 Oct 2013, 1 Oct 2016).  This was my first spring record.  We heard, then saw it flying out of the park.  Unknown to us at the time, Craig Anderson had seen it a short time before flying into the park!

The Shrewsbury Eurasian Collard-Dove has been more evident recently.  It seemed to have disappeared for a while, but was probably around though.  I finally caught up with it on Friday.

It was here last year until December, then took winter vacation somewhere, perhaps not far away.  I am sure it hopes to find a girlfriend soon!

There are only two other documented records for the Rondeau area, both in the park.  The very first was found by Alan Wormington in May 2003.  I only heard that one!  The other was found by the Burk's in September 2017.

After seeing the dove, I went into Erieau and walked the rail trail.  Lots of ducks were on the Bay, but I did not have a scope on the walk.  Some yellowlegs, as FOY birds, were in front of the viewing platform.

This Horned Grebe was at the start of the trail.

I scoped the ducks from the firehall, but did not find the Eurasian Wigeon.  It was there somewhere though!  Many thousands of ducks had to be sorted through.  These views from the rail trail.

Just after I got home, I was pleased to see and hear a Sandhill Crane fly over the  house.  It was a first for here!  Long overdue.

Saturday was horrible weather, so nothing noteworthy to report.  

Sunday was not great either!  I went to Rondeau anyway.  Robins were concentrated in the campground, wondering what the deal was with this winter weather!

Nothing new at the home feeder yet.

More birds will be showing up, and perhaps we will have our first Louisiana Waterthrush by next weekend!

Dovetown Birding and Tip Watching

 Friday, the mission was to check out Shrewsbury where some doves were seen recently.  On May 27, Ian Richards, Shrewsbury's newest resident, found a Eurasian Collared-Dove near his house.  It was relocated by some intrepid birders earlier this week.

On Thursday, Garry Sadler was looking for it but turned up a White-winged Dove!  He eventually saw the collared-dove as well.  You can see his photos on eBird.

Early Friday morning I arrived just after sun-up and took on the search.  There are an amazing number of Mourning Doves to sort through!  After some time, I left without any luck on the collared-dove, but then Steve Charbonneau found it at the west end of Metcalfe Street.  I raced back to find it singing in a dead tree.😉

There are few records for the Rondeau area.  For me, I only heard the one that was at the park in May 2003.  I was certain I had one fly over south point trail many years ago as well.  I never wrote it up though!

I suspect the White-winged Dove is still hiding in Lonesome Dove as well.

I then did some birding in Rondeau Park, just finding breeding birds.

Acadian Flycatcher

A stop at McLean Conservation Lands is always interesting, so that was next.  An amazing number of gulls has been present, but no rarities.

At least four Lesser Black-backed Gulls are amongst them.

The White-faced Ibis was not seen after Thursday.

Today, a change in scenery was needed so I headed to Point Pelee where I had a good feeling about seeing American White Pelicans.  They are regular there at this time of year since they now breed on the small islands in Lake Erie.

Upon arrival at the Tip, three pelicans were there to greet me.😄

Heading back, I took a look out the east side from the "42 sign" trail.  I saw two more pelicans for a total of five.  Where those two suddenly came from, I have no idea!

There was good gull action at the Tip as well.  I saw two first cycle Little Gulls early on, with one in an odd plumage.  A small percentage of first cycle birds will develop a full hood.

I have had Franklin's, Black-headed and Laughing Gull there at this time of year, but none were to be seen today.😢

Most bonies were immatures, but this one adult stood out.

I had the Tip pretty much to myself for almost two hours before the "tourists" arrived.

Little Gull (lower bird)

I did not spend much more time in the park.  As usual, butterflies were scarce.

Eastern Kingbird

I stopped by Hillman marsh to take a peek at the shorebird cell.  By this time of year it is always drained, but worth a look.  Nine Great Egrets and three Sandhill Cranes were there among some Mallards.

On the way home I stopped by the Camper's Cove field east of Wheatley where one would expect Dickcissels by this time.  Sure enough I heard one.

Mission accomplished for today!

Along Sparta Line and Miscellaneous Birding

Friday I ventured into Elgin County.  I wanted to check out the Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area, a place I had never visited before.  It is a neat natural area with some decent birds just off Sparta Line.
The trip there was quite foggy in spots and certainly had me agitated as at one point I could hardly see anything!  I arrived after about an hour and half drive, but unfortunately it was gloomy there and almost threatening rain.  Felt like it was a weekend.
However, there were lots of birds to see or hear.  Most notable was a Prothonotary Warbler in the wetland.

I spent about an hour at the place, but certainly is worth spending more time someday.  On the walk out, I heard the Cerulean Warbler singing that had been reported in previous days.

There were several other warblers including Mourning and Blue-winged.  Yellow-throated Vireo was singing here as well.

In recent weeks, a Yellow-throated Warbler was singing here, but unfortunately it must have left about a week ago.  It was thought to be on territory, but perhaps it gave up after a female never showed up!

Yarmouth NHA is along the scenic Catfish Creek.
More info here:  https://www.catfishcreek.ca/conservation-areas/yarmouth-natural-heritage-area/

Coming from the west, one must pass through the historic village of Sparta.  This village I had visited several times in the distant past.  Back when I was in high school, I researched the Mann family genealogy, and Sparta played a key role.  In the 1830's when the Mann family emigrated to Canada from England, some settled at Sparta while others settled at Strathroy (Napperton), and some eventually went over to Michigan.

While doing the research, I checked out the Sparta cemetery and found several Mann's buried there.  One was Noah, a brother to my Great Great Grandfather.

There are many historic buildings in Sparta, including the "Forge and Anvil" which, incredibly, was built about 1827.  It still stands today, with thick walls made of clay bound with straw and pea pods!

photos from the past

On the way back, I stopped by Port Stanley as well as the lagoons.  The lagoon site was virtually devoid of shorebirds except for a White-rumped Sandpiper and two Killdeer (if one can believe).
Stopped at various places on the way back but did not see anything of note.

I also went to Rondeau for a bit of a walk.  Note, gate fees apply now.  The lake was still foggy though.  Looked for anything with wings.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (f)

Common  Whitetail (f)

Today, Sunday, I did way too much driving in search of birds.  Not much out there!  I went as far as northwest of Leamington to view a Eurasian Collared-Dove that has been hanging around for months.
I saw it right away, so that was nice.

These doves are showing up in more places anymore.  One was reported to me as seen in Chatham on June 1.

Dickcissels are now showing up but I did not find any on my own.  None at Camper's Cove Road yet as far as I could tell.  I had to rely on reported birds near Pardoville west of Cedar Springs to see some today!

Stopped by Blenheim Lagoons as well, but nothing of note.  Only one migrant shorebird was in the cells--a White-rumped Sandpiper.

Mind-boggling as it may seem, fall migration is just around the corner!  Where did spring go?

Escape to Point Pelee

Today, Point Pelee was on the agenda, as I made my first visit to the park in my new Ford Escape.  It turned out to be a decent day with a variety of migrant birds.
A number of warblers were moving around as I walked to the Tip.  At the Tip, I met up with Keith and Jim Burk.  We were hoping for an early Sabine's Gull, but I guess they stayed on Lake Ontario!
Shorebirds included several Sanderlings, a Semisand, Least Sand and a Ruddy Turnstone.
The turnstone allowed close approach to where one could get almost full-frame photos.

Turnstone on stones

Sanderling on Sand

Least Sandpiper

After too many 'tourists' arrived, we headed up west beach trail and found lots of passerines.  A good variety of warblers were flitting about and many vireos and flycatchers.

A caterpillar was noticed at one point, which turned out to be a Salt Marsh Moth.  It is apparently quite common even though there is no salt marsh nearby!

Near the famed 'serengeti tree' we met up with Steve Pike who has been on the prowl this weekend.  We soon caught sight of a large dove with a squared tail, but it was only a fleeting glimpse.  Steve was pretty certain it was an Eurasian Collared-Dove.  We then heard it sing (out of sight) once, confirming the ID.  As I was looking intensely, I spotted it atop a dead tree!

We all had decent views before it disappeared not to be seen again....by us.  Certainly the highlight of the day.
This species has increased considerably in the last few years, and in fact it was delisted for review by the Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC) this year.

Keith and I continued on up west beach trail noting a few birds and butterflies along the way.  Lots of Common Painted-Lady were out and about.

Next stop and walk was at De Laurier.  We did not add much there. 

We decided to check west beach trail from Dunes north to Northwest Beach next.  Quite a few birds were towards the north end.  An Olive-sided Flycatcher was amongst them.  Seems they are regular everywhere right now.

On the way home, I checked briefly the Mersea Road 21 wetland, but nothing of note was there to my eyes.

I stopped by Angler Line on the way home, noting lots of blackbirds.  Surprisingly, no Yellow-headed was mixed in!

Yesterday, I did some Rondeau birding.  There was a good selection of birds on south point trail, but little at the north end.  Mourning and Canada Warblers were among those seen.
There was still a wet spot that we could not get through, farther along.

A check of Blenheim Lagoons later revealed a decent selection of shorebirds. 

Stilt, Dowitcher, Yellowlegs

Solitary

Highlight was a group of four Red-necked Phalaropes.  They did not come close.

Later in the day, one of them cloned  and then there were five!  They were still there today.

We saw two dowitchers, one very close.  We tried to make it Long-billed, but it was one of those in-between birds that made us think a bit.
I think perhaps it was a Short-billed based on tertials, but nobody on iNaturalist is brave enough to comment!

Seems that being in the right place at the right time is what finding good birds is all about.  (Case in point, the collared-dove today)
Yesterday a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Forest, and today there were two!  I often plan ahead, and Pelee was destination today.  Will one be there tomorrow if I go?  Probably not with my luck lately.  No pelicans at Pelee today either.  LOL.

Easter in Essex

A change in scenery was in order for today so I headed into Essex County.  First stop was the Hillman bridge where some Dunlin were reported yesterday.  There is some mud, but with all the rain forecast this week, it might disappear.

I could see the Dunlin on the mud in the distance.  While there, eight Great Egret flew in and landed in the opposite direction to the east.  Both species were FOY's.

Next stop was to try and see an Eurasian Collared-Dove.  I saw the reported nest, but could not pick out a bird on it.  Perhaps the bird was lying low on the eggs (Easter eggs?).  However, I did see one bird just across the road on a hydro wire, so that was good enough.

Once in the National Park, I headed straight to the Tip. Upon arrival at the Tip parking lot, there was Steve Pike.  His car had changed plumage!  Or so I thought.  He picked up another Focus, but this one is fire engine red.

We walked to the Tip and saw a number of birds flying around, but not much.  Horned Grebes were new for the year.  We had just missed a Beaver on the ice at the very Tip according to Dan Greenham.  Would have been neat to see.

Quite a few ducks were along the west side including Surf and White-winged Scoters.  Rather far out though.

Later, a walk up to Sparrow Field and back yielded very little.  Just a few expected spring birds.
We checked the cactus trail and saw more of the common spring birds.

De Laurier had a few sparrows in the parking lot including a couple of chippies.
Steve headed out of the park while I decided to walk Woodland Trail in hopes of burning off more winter fat.  No warblers yet, needless to say.

Heading towards Wheatley, I again stopped at Hillman bridge.  Pretty sure I counted 17 Dunlin, but there were definitely 15.  I took a crappy photo and could count 15 specks.

Just though this Herring Gull looked nice....

Wheatley Harbour had a few gulls and cormorants flying around.  While I was eating my lunch there, a young Glaucous Gull came by and swam on the lake just out from the harbour.

Nearer home, I decided to stop at Mitchell's Bay.  I will now be checking that regularly!  There are presently perhaps 25,000+ ducks visible.  Impossible to estimate, so likely more.
The other day, Allen Woodliffe estimated 12,000 Canvasback, and I think that is a pretty good assessment.  Lots of other species mixed in, but I could not even pick out a grebe.
Most ducks were rather distant though.

A few piles of ice were out on the Bay. The ice left rather quickly this year.




One last stop was the Bear Creek unit of St. Clair NWA at the end of Bear Line.  A few species of ducks were there, plus an American Coot and a Great Egret.  Of course a  Belted Kingfisher was perched on a snag.  This is one spot you are almost guaranteed a kingfisher.  Usually there is one here on my Christmas Bird Count.  This neat spot is not checked too often.