Sometimes It Works Out !

 Although I enjoy being outdoors as much as I can, birding or looking at other things, it is nice to see some decent birds along the way.  It is the thrill of the hunt that intrigues many birders.  One often goes to a particular location in the hope of seeing an interesting bird, or a rarity.

Today, I went back to Rondeau.  Weather was less than ideal with a strong east wind under cloudy skies.  And yes, the usual prevailing east wind for this time of year!

Although it is only May 1, there were not a lot of birds to keep up one's interest.  I decided to leave at one point and try my luck elsewhere.  Ten Willets were reported at Wheatley Harbour, so I headed in that direction.  Upon arrival, they were still there huddled up in the wind.

A couple of early Ruddy Turnstones were on the beach as well.  Here is one.

Since I was that far west, I decided to head into Point Pelee National Park.  I did not expect to see much, and birding was a bit slow.  However, there were some quality birds around, and that coupled with the meeting of old friends made the visit worthwhile.

I parked at White Pine, and walked in to the trails and down to Tilden Woods.  There were not many birds, but already this day, people had seen Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and early Magnolia Warbler and an early Wilson's Warbler.

The Cerulean was at ground level, feeding.  One of the brighter ones I have seen!

With some effort, I managed to see the warblers, but not the Chat.  As you know, chats are good at hiding even though they may be 'within reach'.

At least three Yellow-breasted Chats had been reported this day.  Another was on Redbud trail, so I headed in that direction.  After some waiting, the Chat was very briefly seen after making some characteristic chatters.

At this site, an early Cape May Warbler (male) and another White-eyed Vireo were nice to see.

I then headed back towards the VC, when a message came through that the "afternoon shift" (Richard Carr) had discovered a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the Tip.  I was not far from the tram, so I waited till it arrived and hopped on board with the mob.

Luckily, the long-tailed creature was still at the Tip catching insects!  I was not a position for a good photo, but who cares.

While there, a number of gulls were on the long Tip.  Someone spotted a Franklin's Gull among them!  Rather distant, but a nice bird for this time of year.

The gull was indeed a bonus!

It was then time to head home after a long day.  Ending up at Point Pelee today certainly worked out!

Earlier this week, Tuesday had looked like a promising day for birds.  There were lots of new birds and some rarities reported, but it did not pan out as most had expected.  The numbers just did not arrive.  I stayed fairly local, checking out Mitchell's Bay, Port Lambton and Peers Wetland.  It was not as productive as I had hoped.

Osprey at Peers

shy Black-and-white at Mitchell's bay

A Lark Sparrow was found at the north end of Rondeau Park, which later ended up at Keith McLean Conservation Lands.  This happened at least once before!  

I was not going to rush down for it though.

Wednesday I was at Rondeau first thing.  I wanted to get there early enough for Whip-poor-wills, but I slept in about 15 minutes too late!  Lots of time for them this month.

Although a nice day, there were not many birds.  Some first-of-year birds were added though.  I left the park before 08:30, if that tells you anything!

I then decided to check out McLean's in case the Lark Sparrow was still around.  I spent some time there, and eventually I spotted it!

first observance

It was nice that it stayed another day.  Actually it was still there today.

I moved on from there and went to the marsh trail at Erieau, and McGeachy Pond.  Some new birds included this Bobolink.

Bobolinks must have come in overnight as they were in multiple locations on Wednesday.

I then went to the Blenheim lagoons.  A large number of Lesser Yellowlegs was still present.  I counted over 120, which is the most I have seen at this location.

While walking I noticed some insects in the grasses.  Here is a Yellow-shouldered Drone Fly, which I do not think I had photographed before.

While in that neck of the county, I decided to try for the wacky Whimbrel near Erie Beach.  It had arrived a couple of days earlier, and in fact probably the same bird at the same location from last year!  It is incredibly early for a Whimbrel, but these things happen.  It was another bird that Jim Burk spotted for his "tractor" list.

Thanks to Jim for directing me up the laneway of the field to see this bird.  Unfortunately, there was a lot of heat haze this day and I could not focus.

The month of May is now here.........!!  (And I already have Whimbrel on my list!)

Case of the Cassin's

 Continuing on from my short visit to the Bruce Peninsula, I was heading south on highway 21 when word came out that the Cassin's Kingbird had been found again near Pelee Wings.  I was still not certain I would go for it!

As mentioned, it was mistakenly identified by inexperienced birders the day before as a Western Kingbird.  A similar-looking bird, but there are things to look for to differentiate Cassin's vs. Western.

In any case, Cassin's is a mega-rarity for Ontario as there have been seven accepted records up to 2021.

I did not rush south, as I stopped at various places, something that I had intended to do originally on this trip.  I first pulled into Goderich harbour where there appeared to be hundreds of gulls out on the jetty.  I was not going to sort through them!  Anyway, one has to pay to park down at the harbour now, which seems to be the unfortunate and inconvenient trend anywhere anymore.

Continuing south, I next stopped for a brief visit at Ausable River Cut CA.  There were lots of mussels to sort through along the riverbank, but I did not take much time there.  Probably because I knew was going to end up at Pelee!

I saw the usuals, and one stood out.  I had no idea it was one of the really rare ones, called a Snuffbox.  It was my first find of this species!

Others included Three-Ridge, Mapleleaf, Pimpleback and Deertoe among other common ones.

Pimpleback

I will have to spend more time here soon, but there are too many places to go this time of year.

Next top was a bit closer to home at Shetland CA boat launch.  It was a bit early for Blue-ringed Dancer and Dusky Dancer, but I wanted to check it out.  I was only seeing Stream Bluets here.  It is a fabulous spot for studying odonates, worth another visit or two.

Stream Bluet

Another stop was at Reid CA to check on the situation for hairstreaks.  A bit early yet this year it seemed for Oak Hairstreak, as things are a bit late blooming.  Perhaps tomorrow!

It was then on to the Pelee area.  Upon arrival there were many birders present as expected.  The Cassin's Kingbird was seen right away, but was in a shaded area and not super close.  So, photos leave a bit to be desired with my camera.

I managed good looks at the bird, then left as there was one more thing on the agenda.  Dickcissels had finally showed up, seemingly a tad later than usual.  Had to go see one!

I saw one on the 4th line near Stevenson that was reported earlier.

Going home, I went by another spot I knew would have one, and sure enough a male was singing in the pasture.  Turns out there were multiple spots that day that Dickcissels were found!

One more thing of note, last Monday I went looking for the reported Laughing Gull at Keith McLean C. L.  It was a no-show, but a similar bird was there, namely a Franklin's Gull!  A good consolation in any case on a very gloomy morning.

Lacklustre Lakewatches and a Visit by Frank

 Weather was unseasonably warm this week, and birding was on the slow side.  We need some real November weather to stir things up!

Friday and Saturday I spent at or near Rondeau, starting with a lakewatch each day.  The winds were decent, but once again, nothing spectacular showed up.  The woods were very quiet!

On Friday, I checked some other spots, including Blenheim lagoons.  Lately, Franklin's Gull was heavily on my mind, so I ended up finding one!  As soon as I walked into the lagoon complex, I saw hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls.  Had to be something with them....

One gull stood out.  I hummed and hawed for a bit, but soon decided it was a first year Franklin's Gull!

I watched it for a while, and contacted Steve.  After his arrival, we could not find it at all.  I had to leave for other matters, but just before getting home, Steve texted that the gull had returned.  It comes and goes, but "Frank" was still around for a bit today as well.

Nearby, the long-staying Spotted Sandpiper was still present.  Must be something wrong with it!  Also, two Lesser Yellowlegs have been lingering.

Saturday's lakewatch had more Bonaparte's Gulls, finally, and lots of ducks.  One gull stood out.

It was likely from the far north, where for whatever reason, these Herring Gulls are very dark.  A eye-catching bird!

Sunday, a change in scenery was in order.  I was not sure what to do, but ended up at Point Pelee.  Winds were not as strong as forecast (nothing new), but I did a Tip watch anyway.  Not much happening again. I am about to give up on lakewatches!

Herbert C. Jackson

Some things were flying off the Tip, including a young Red-headed Woodpecker.

I did not have the camera ready enough when it flew over.

Quite a few Black-capped Chickadees were seen.  As alluded to before, there is a movement of them this fall.

Last stop was at Sanctuary Pond lookout. It was the most interesting place with things flying over, and shorebirds on the mudflats.

It is Cave Swallow season, but I did see five Tree Swallows at least.

Shorebirds included American Golden Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Wilson's Snipe, Pectoral Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpiper, and of course Killdeer.

Before getting home, I stopped by Mitchell's Bay south shore nature trail just for fun.  It was exactly a year ago I found the Sage Thrasher here!  Like most places this weekend, it was extremely quiet for birds.  No birthday bird this year!

Some butterflies were out in the balmy weather.  I found this Fiery Skipper at Rondeau this weekend.

Red Admiral at Mitchell's Bay

North Lambton Tour and Rondeau Rarities

I did some touring around this weekend.  Friday I went up to north Lambton County to check out Pinery, Port Franks and Ipperwash.  I was hoping to see some butterflies such as Olympia Marble and some elfins.
I first checked out the Heritage Forest at Port Franks for some birds.  It started out nice and sunny, but by the time I was done there, typical weekend weather rolled in.  It killed my chances for seeing many butterflies later!
I had a good variety of birds in the forest, including standard birds such as Acadian Flycatcher (4) and Hooded Warbler (4).  In the forest, I had no luck in taking photos, as usual.

Acadian Flycatcher

Several species of warblers including Mourning and Blue-winged.  No Cerulean this time though, although they do nest there.

I then moved into Pinery Provincial Park.  It was somewhat on the quiet side, but I did see a variety of birds. No doubt the crappy weather was a factor.

It looks like Prairie Warbler is there once again for the season.  I found one singing along the first dune ridge at P9.  They are always found in the first dune ridge somewhere along the Pinery beach.

At one point I saw a Common Raven fly over.  Seems they are quite regular in north Lambton anymore.

I checked for Dusted Skipper, but the cool overcast weather kept them at bay.

I then moved to Karner Blue Sanctuary where duskywings can be found in numbers.  Usually you can get four species this time of year.  I only saw two Sleepy Duskywings.

At one point I thought I had something unique, but it was just an azure.  However, it was the "marginata" form which is heavily marked and brighter blue on the upper side.  Actually a very attractive insect!

I briefly checked Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales, but it was deathly quiet.  From other's eBird lists there, it has been rather quiet  compared to what it should be.

Just before getting home, I stopped by Peers Wetland and found a good variety of warblers including Canada, Mourning and Wilson's among others.

As well, I spotted a Common Nighthawk sleeping in typical fashion.

Saturday I went down to Rondeau Park and sloshed through the water on south point trail.  I just did this trail since I wanted to get over to Erieau and try for the Neotropic Cormorant.

Several Northern Waterthrushes were still around, and lots of Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers.

Warbling Vireo

A good number of shorebirds were along the east beach, including lots of Ruddy Turnstones.

Over near Erieau, I tried for the recent Laughing and Franklin's Gulls.  They were just too far out and heat haze was a factor.
The Neoptropic Cormorant was perched in a willow at the Erieau pier with its ugly cousins.  It was a new Rondeau bird for me, so nice to check off.  Now that I have seen it, and most others have, it can leave!  lol.  I did not even attempt a photo due to lighting issues.

I did a quick check of the gulls again with no luck so eventually ended up at Hillman Marsh.  Nothing special there, but one has to take the chance!

I had heard that the gulls were being seen again near Erieau, so went back.  I tried in vain, but the heat haze was even worse.  There are practically no places to pull off in the that area since roads are poorly designed.  As well, traffic was ridiculous with people in a hurry to go nowhere.
I gave up in disgust!

Today I went back to Rondeau under cooler conditions.  South point trail was not bad, but the interior of the park was very quiet for migrants.  More Alder Flycatchers were in, as well as Red-eyed Vireos.
Various warblers included a few Mourning.
World's worst photo:

The shorebirds were still along the east beach, but no rarities.

I came across a couple of Olive-sided Flycatcher.  One was silent but the other revealed itself by calling.

A few thrushes were still lurking in the woods.  Gray-cheeked seemed to outnumber Swainson's today.

With overcast conditions, I checked for the gulls again near Erieau.  I managed to find a spot to set up a scope along Erieau Road.  I was just in time, as I quickly picked out an adult Franklin's Gull. I just got on the second cycle Laughing Gull when everything took off to the lake.  I was there less than ten minutes, so I lucked out!

Middle gull is a Franklin's

I find mid June good for gulls, especially at Point Pelee, so who knows what else there will be to see this spring.  Last year I found a Black-headed Gull at Point Pelee!

Blenheim lagoons had about 70 Semipalmated Sandpipers and one Least.  Nothing else of note.

Now that we are near the end of May, time to fly off to other things such as breeding birds and butterflies.