Adventures In The First Week of April

 Some days were nice, but some days were just plain frigid!

Last Friday I started at Mitchell's Bay.  There was a brisk southwest wind, but a good movement of birds was noted.  Forster's Terns had arrived in numbers.

There were lots of ducks, but most notable was a big movement of Northern Pintail into the wind.  A conservative estimate was 275.

There was not much opportunity for photographing things, but this Northern Harrier passed by at one point.

By the time I left, some turtles were coming out to warm out in the sun.

In the afternoon, it was just too nice not to go for a walk at Reid C. L.

Plants were starting to pop up through the leaf litter, including hepaticas.  I have only found Sharp-lobed there though.

In the onion family, Wild Leek was just making an appearance.

And, of course I kept an eye out for Harbinger of Spring.

I only saw two garter snakes, and they were both together.

I walked randomly through the forest, but I came across that old pop can that I first found almost 15 years ago!

Came across this moth, called a Wedgling.

Walking along the river, I noticed this beaver swimming across.

Saturday was a rainy day, so not much went on.

Sunday, I went to Rondeau and walked various places.  I got some first-of-year birds, some of which were long overdue.  Included was Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Along the way, I noted this twisted tree.  I have seen it before.

Before leaving, Steve and I looked for the Eurasian Wigeon.  We found it off the yacht club.  Remarkably, I set up my scope and first look I had the scope dead on the wigeon!  Strange how that happens!

On Tuesday, I checked out the St. Clair River from Port Lambton to Sombra area.  

A river watch at the Port noted a good movement of gulls and terns northbound into the cold north wind.  Lots of Bonaparte's Gulls!

Yesterday was sunny but very cold.  I needed a long walk, so went out Rondeau's marsh trail about 4 km.  

Lots of Fox Sparrows out there.

There were still thousands of ducks on the Bay, but I did not bring a scope for the walk.

Gadwall

Still not done, I walked the length of south point trail (west).  

There were lots of Eastern Phoebes along the way.

Any oldtimer would remember the Dillon trail (was even drivable!) that connected each side of south point trail in the middle.  This photo shows where it came out.  One would never know it today.

Before leaving, I took a quick look at the Bay off the yacht club.  I had no problem picking out the Eurasian Wigeon with binoculars!  Too far for proper photo though.

Today started out rainy, but the afternoon was actually quite warm and sunny.  As you might guess, I went for a walk at Reid C. L.

Several butterflies were out including commas and cloaks, and my first-of-year Red Admiral.

Some flies and bees were out, including this (possible) Horn-faced Mason Bee, which is actually an introduced species.  Note that it is on Harbinger of Spring!

Birds included a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.

And even a Common Raven croaking its way around the property!

Some other plants just appearing included.....

Cut-leaved Toothwort

Dutchman's Breeches

Looks like lots of rain in the coming week, but hopefully the birds will keep coming!

Mid January Jaunts

 With the recent cold and very windy weather, outdoor activities have been limited.  It was simply too cold to go for a long walk anywhere.

Feeder watching from home provided the main excitement, although just the usual birds were around.  Last year I had two White-throated Sparrows, but only one is hanging around this winter.

After the big blow, an American Tree Sparrow showed up for a day.  Not a usual visitor here, but for some reason one or two show up after a storm, then depart!

A couple of days ago, I decided to go to Rondeau Park.  It was still quite cold, so walking was limited.  I first checked the campground.  I came across the Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler at the north end.  It was quite active, and I was unable, once again, to get a decent photo.

There were lots of Fox Sparrows along Lakeshore Road, feeding in the roadside scrapes.  I counted at least 16.

Yesterday, I headed up to Sarnia for a change.  Things are getting more productive on the St. Clair River and at Sarnia with the more normal winter weather.

A Black-legged Kittiwake was found the day before off Canatara Park--an excellent January record.  I thought chances were slim for me to see it, but after some waiting, it showed off the lakewatch near the water plant!

It was quite distant though, but easily recognized.  It is one of very few January records in the area.  One was in Sarnia Bay December 2019, and just made it into January (I saw this one).  Another was off downtown Sarnia December 2010, and just into January 2011.  Indeed, the current bird was my latest sighting.

Also of note, was a large raft of Redhead ducks.  I really have no idea how many, but certainly over 5000.  There were some scaup mixed in, and perhaps something else, but it was 98% Redhead.

A Bald Eagle put them up a couple of times, creating quite a spectacle.  Note, the eagle in this photo:

Some would drift downstream then head back out.

Today, I did not do much, but we certainly got a lot more snow than what was forecast.  In the afternoon, I took a walk at Moore WMA.  Water levels were recently quite high, so there was ice under the snow.  I slipped and fell twice!  Some scenes:

We used to cross the river when the water is lower, but the large oak tree that fell and drifted down to the causeway, will make it impossible as seen in the above photos.

At one point, a Canadian Beaver swam downstream.

There were not many birds, although usually this is an excellent spot to find wintering birds, including Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Some American Tree Sparrows were working the weeds.

Staying indoors more the last few days, I took on a jigsaw puzzle.  It was a 1000-piece Sibley puzzle, but certainly the most difficult one I have ever done.  I was tempted to give up a couple of times, but true to my nature, I stuck it out.

No more Limpkin, as it was taken in by a rehabber a few days ago (not that I agree with that).  It would not have survived anyway with the recent weather.  Glad I went to see it when I did.  It was looking happy and healthy at that point.