Morning Birds and 'Evening' Birds

 I do most of my birding in the morning when things are most active.  At first light, it seems to be the best time for lots of birds.  As often is the case, when I walk a trail, my return route finds fewer birds!

This past Sunday was quite miserable with wet snow and rain, but I headed out anyway.  I was near Lambton Line when a notice came out that a Brant goose was being seen at Sarnia.  So, I kept going!

The goose was seen soon after my arrival....several times.  It seemed like it did not know what to do as it flew back and forth.

It is always a treat to see one in our area since they are quite rare here.  (except during the hurricane Sandy event many years ago when over 200 were at the mouth of Lake Huron!).

Some other "good" birds were seen after I left, but I did not want to stay any longer.

Overnight Sunday, we received 7-8 cm of snow which was certainly a surprise.  And, below zero temps. However, nothing compared to the almost 60 cm received north of Skunk's Misery! (I would be done with winter already if I saw that!).

After shoveling snow, I just watched the yard all morning.  There was quite a variety of birds, and at one point at least four Evening Grosbeaks came into the Manitoba Maple tree.  Unfortunately, they were on the backside. However, nice to get such a rare bird species for the yard!

Cardinal at feeder

Despite the cold, Bruce Spanworm Moths can be found.  This one was on the back porch.

Next day was bright and sunny as I headed down to Lake Erie.  I started at Craford cemetery west of Cedar Springs, as it is a good place to watch for birds moving through.  Lots of Purple Finches, but not much else, so I left after an hour.

Then headed over to Rondeau and walked the campground.  Quite a bit of activity to keep up one's interest. At least two sapsuckers were working the grounds.

shy Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Note in above photo heavy crop of berries on Red Cedar.  Many trees have a heavy crop, so birds will be happy.  Hopefully something rare will find them!

Next stop was Keith McLean C. L.  Lots of sparrows! No Golden-crowned Sparrow though.

chipper

Yesterday, I toured local spots but did not come up with anything of note.

View just upstream of McKeough Dam

Today was very nice weatherwise, so I headed down to Rondeau Park.  I started at south point trail where there was lots of activity.  On the return walk, hardly anything.  Goes to show, again, get out first thing!

The campground is always a mandatory walk this time of year.  Lots of activity, especially at puddles!

wet Fox Sparrow

I had two flyovers of Evening Grosbeaks during the walk.

Last stop was Keith McLean C. L.  Still lots of sparrows, but nothing in the rarity department.

Field Sparrow

Field vs. Tree

Lots of mud with the low water levels.

Unlike last visit, there were some shorebirds, but only for a short time.  A flock of Dunlin flew in at one point and fed briefly.

With them were two late Long-billed Dowitchers and a Pectoral Sandpiper.  My camera does not seem to focus at long range though.....

A few hawks were moving, but most were more to the north.

Red-shouldered Hawk

It has been an interesting fall so far, and hopefully that will continue.  I need to see Pine Grosbeaks next!

Birds 'n Things Around Rondeau

Things really kicked in with migrants this week.  I spent four nights camping at Rondeau Park starting on Monday.  However, birding was quite slow to start, but I wandered around the park in various locations that day.

A casual walk down south point trail in the afternoon west revealed the odd birds.

Blackburnian Warbler

A Blandings Turtle made an appearance in one of the sloughs.

In mid-afternoon I was bored!  Not expecting much at Keith McLean C. L., I took a look anyway.  I stumbled upon a Black-necked Stilt to liven things up!

I suppose it is not entirely surprising one showed up, since they seem to be more an more regular each year.

Weather was nice, so I walked out marsh trail that evening.  It too was slow with birds, but a Clay-colored Sparrow was a nice find.

Tuesday was a little better, and if fact, each day this week was successively better for birds.  South point trail east has not been producing much, but after checking that out, I heard the local celebrity calling near the VC.

Since late April, a Northern Bobwhite has been working the east side.  I stopped to look around and found it calling atop the rail at the boardwalk near the VC. Obviously a released/escaped creature.

In the afternoon, "Bob" was at dog beach calling.

It was nice to hear and see since there are probably no legitimate wild birds left in Ontario.  Walpole Island was the last holdout, but I would suspect they are no longer there.  The last one I heard on Walpole was around 2005, but across the Snye when I was working at the marina.

In early evening, I took a leisurely stroll and came across some Goldenseal.   I knew its approximate location as I had seen it years ago, but it was nice to see a patch of it.

It is a threatened plant in Ontario.

Wednesday was somewhat uneventful, but added some more first-of-year birds.

This Pileated was showing well at one point.

More Goldenseal.

Thursday May 11 was a really good day especially for warblers.  Harrison trail/Bennett area was hopping with passerines!  I added quite a few first-of-year birds.

Cape May Warbler

In the afternoon, I went over to Blenheim lagoons to add some shorebirds to the week's list.  The previously-reported Wilson's Phalarope was not present, but lots of other stuff.  Both dowitcher types were present to brush up on one's ID skills between the two.  I was too lazy to carry a camera though!

In the evening, Steve and I walked out marsh trail since it was such a nice day.  It was a bit quiet, and strangely, we did not get any rails (must have taken the day off!).  Four Least Bitterns and four American Bitterns, as well as six Great Egrets were good for the list.

Oddly, despite the good fallout of warblers in the park that day, there were none out marsh trail.

Friday morning was looking good for a "morning flight" watch at the park store.  In recent years, we have taken advantage of this to observe birds exiting the park.  It is quite interesting and sometimes amazing to see what is actually migrating out.  Hundreds of birds are usually noted.

There were oodles of warblers, including high numbers of Cape May, Blackburnian, and Northern Parula.

A Black Tern was a good sight, and many Bobolinks were on the move.

However, one has to be quick on ID since they move at rapid pace.  Learning chip notes helps, but many go undetermined!

Once again, Harrison and Bennett were good for observing warblers at low altitude.  We saw our first Blackpoll and Canada of the season for example.

Bay-breasted Warbler

The odd Clay-colored Sparrow has been popping up here and there.

Before this week began, I did visit Rondeau on Sunday and managed to catch up with an Evening Grosbeak.  It was a gloomy day, so photo leaves a bit to be desired.

It is not often we see them in the spring, but those that head south in the fall must come back!

Today, Saturday, I stayed around home.  I managed to come across a Golden-winged Warbler at Port Lambton's Brander Park.  It was nice to see and hear this declining species.

Looks like things continued to pick up at Rondeau today, as Summer Tanagers and others have been seen!  (Just my luck).  I will be back at the park on Monday after recharging here at home over the weekend.

Past Weekend Travels and Finds

 Not much on my end to report from the past weekend, but Friday was spent at Rondeau and area.  The usual lakewatch started the day.  Lots of ducks were moving, and Red-breasted Mergansers were increasing in numbers.

On south point, a Chestnut-sided Warbler was the highlight, but I was unable to get a photo.  A Palm Warbler was at the north end of the park.

I then went to Keith McLean C. L.  A Hudsonian Godwit was still present albeit at the far side.

A number of shorebirds were in, including two late Least Sandpipers.

Highlight was a Northern Saw-whet Owl.  As often is the case, kinglets revealed the location!  Well hidden, as they usually are.

I stopped by Ridgetown lagoons.  Ring-necked Ducks were in crazy numbers, well over 1000.  A Snow Goose was close by.

Saturday, I needed a change in scenery and went up to Ipperwash.  Evening Grosbeaks are on the move this year, and I had a number flying overhead.  I spent some time around the "MNR" parking lot area.

I passed through Kettle Point on the way back south to Forest lagoons.

Long-tailed Duck

Sparrows were numerous at the lagoons, as expected.  I came across a LeConte's at one point, but unable to get a photo.

photo from another time

Some Evening Grosbeaks flew over here as well!

Before getting home, I stopped at a couple of places for a walk.  Not on the radar for this day, was a Baltimore Oriole at Nicholl's Memrial Forest at Wilkesport!

A number of chickadees were here too.  There is a southward movement afoot of Black-capped Chickadees this fall.  More to come.  Keep an eye out for Boreal, as they have been known to get mixed in!

It was quite warm, and I saw a number of Eastern Commas out and about.

Sunday I went back to Rondeau for lack of anything else to do.  I opted to walk out marsh trail to Long Pond for a change.  

Nothing earth-shattering was encountered, unfortunately!  An American Bittern was the "rarest" bird.

There were lots of Greater Yellowlegs on the mudflats near Long Pond.

Fox Sparrows have finally arrived in numbers.

A final stop for the day was at McLean's.  It was consdierably quieter than Friday, but the Hudsonian Godwit was still present.

Nipissing Notes and Tiny Tales

 Last Sunday I headed out on my annual week off this time of year.  Algonquin Park, in Nipissing, was the main destination.  It had been two years since I was last up there, so it was time to visit again!  One cannot predict things in advance, but the weather left a little to be desired.  Weather forecasts are almost useless anymore anyway, so just go with the plan!

I left Wallaceburg at 04:33 and was in Algonquin about 10:20, including two stops!  Sunday, there is little traffic on the 400 series highways.  

As per tradition, I first stopped to walk the old railway bed off Arowhon Road.  Must have been a sign of things to come, as it was the quietest I have ever seen it.

photo from happier times

To kill time before the campground check-in, I stopped by Cache Lake boat launch area, then walked Two Rivers Trail near the Mew Lake campground.  I lucked into a good-sized flock of warblers and other birds near the end of that trail, which lightened the mood under gloomy skies.

After going into Mew Lake campground, I walked around the old airfield, my favourite place. It was overcast, and few birds were about, but at least I was there.  This spot always has so much potential for good birds.

After a supper, I again walked the old airfield.  I bumped into someone from Sarnia, namely Dave Bourne!  He was with his family for a few days up there.  I am sure he would not mind a mention.

Since rain was forecast, I put a tarp over the tent, and it was a good thing for overnight when it rained. 

The first full day, I usually walk Mizzy Lake trail, but the weather was not good, so I opted for smaller trails and stops.  I walked Spruce Bog Boardwalk at daybreak.  No Spruce Grouse, but what the heck, I will start walking it again.  Not far along, there they were, three of them!

I only carried the point-and-shoot camera due to the weather, so quality is poor in the poor light.

Next trail was Beaver Pond.  Nothing much of note there, before I decided to give the Logging Museum trail a shot.

Just out the car, I heard the familiar call of a Canada Jay, and sure enough, three of them alighted atop a tree.  Very poor lighting again, but here is a photo.

I then walked the trail as it is interesting to look at the displays.  

Near the end, I caught sight of an owl taking off.  Luckily it stopped, and there was a Barred Owl staring at me!

It was certainly a bonus bird not on my radar, at least to photograph.  I have heard them before in Algonquin.

Heading back west, it started pouring, so I sat it out for a while.

After an expensive lunch at Two Rivers Store (good grief, bring your own food!), I had plans to walk Bat Lake trail.  It looked like it would clear for a while, so I started out.  Nope!  I had to head back and wait out some more rain.

Looked like it would clear for a while, so I headed in again for the better part of 6 km.  Well along the trail, it started to come down in buckets.  I kept going anyway, getting soaked to the bone.  About one-third along, the sun finally came out for a nice afternoon!  A little late I must say.

View from the lookout

It was the trail where I last had Boreal Chickadee.  The Boreal in very difficult to find in Algonquin anymore, so it is highly sought-after.  In the past, I did not have much problem with them, finding them in many different locations.  It is said that climate change is a significant factor.

Nothing of note was seen, so after that, I went to take a shower to 'dry' off, lol.

Had a nice walk on the old airfield later on, and came across the only two butterflies of the trip there.

Clouded Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

I usually get American Copper, but could not find a single one this trip!

There were numerous dragonflies seen over the various walks, many being Black-tipped Darners.

The next day, Mizzy Lake trail was on the agenda, and I arrived there at first light.  It is a long, sometimes gruelling 11 km walk, so one has to be prepared.  It was overcast most of the way, but as soon as I got on the old railway bed, I saw more birds.  I had very nice flock of warblers, etc. at one point.  I even heard a Red Crossbill there in the distance.

Raven posing for a moment

West Rose Lake and Wolf Howl pond area was eerily quiet, but I did hear the familiar call of an Evening Grosbeak.  Soon, I saw it fly overhead!  It was another bonus bird that I did not really expect to see.

The trail was overall very quiet for birds, but you never know until you check it out.  I encountered a Ruffed Grouse in probably one of the darkest areas of the entire trail.  Although I put the ISO off the scale, the photo was not good.

By this time, it was near noon, so I headed to Two Rivers Store for an even more expensive lunch.  Oh well, better that someone else get me a good meal!  It was very good, but not on the wallet.

The afternoon, I walked Big Pines Trail.  I found a good number of warblers, etc. here.  The White Pines are impressive on this trail, hence the trail name.

At the back, is a good area to look for dragonflies in the summer, as I recall many years ago on a visit here.  Not this day though!

The rest of the afternoon and evening I took two walks on the old airfield.  Very quiet again, but it was a stellar evening.  

It could get no better with clear skies, and calm conditions.  I was praying for a rarity!  Last time I came up with record-early fall migrant Bohemian Waxwings, but this time, only American Robins as the sun set.

Wednesday, I headed out and for one last walk, I did Whiskey Rapids Trail.  It was horribly quiet.  In my early days, this was my favourite trail, and I had good luck with some of the specialties here, among other things.

It was a reminder of my youth, as this was a trail we walked in the old days.

(don't laugh!)

Just out of the park, I saw the only Moose of the trip, right in the middle of the road!  I was too lazy to get out the camera though.

Off the 400, I headed west through Gravenhurst, then stopped for a walk at Hardy Lake Provincial Park, as I often do.

It was then a beeline to Awenda Provincial Park north of Penetanguishene in Tiny Township.  Getting into the 'shene, the sky to the north was as dark as night.  I waited it out in a park as heavy rain fell.

After it cleared a bit, I went into the the park while the sun came out.  I stopped by Kettle Lake for a look.  One of the maintenance guys came along and he said he had never seen a storm like that here before.  High winds, hail and heavy rain!

The rest of the day was nice, but before sundown, it clouded over and wind came up.  It was terribly windy and a bit concerning at some points.

It was nice along the lakeside later in the afternoon though.

Giant's Tomb Island in the distance

The above is a display on the ship Reliever at the viewing stand.  This ship once sank in the St. Clair River!

I had the notion to head straight to Sarnia the next day, since a good north wind was forecast.  I got up early since the drive was the better part of six hours from there.  I had just got the tent packed, and down came the rain.....again!  So, just as well since it would be no fun at Awenda in the rain.

It poured to just north of Barrie and then the sun came out.  However, all the way to Sarnia, it was either rain or sun, off and on.  The fronts just kept coming!

I arrived at Sarnia after most of the action had occurred with Sabine's Gulls or jaegers unfortunately, but I did the best I could.  Luckily, I stayed a while and saw a Sabine's Gull!  I nice way to end a somewhat damp, whirlwind trip.

Next time, a report on the OFO conference at Point Pelee this past weekend!