Kiskadee Hunting at Rondeau Park

I headed down to Rondeau Park early this morning.  Before it was even light, there were some birders already poised to listen for the Great Kiskadee at the maintenance compound area.  We stood there for a long time, but it never showed.
Although we all had seen the mega rarity several times before, it is now winter and an incredible bird to see this time of year.  We can only hope it is seen on December 16, the day of the Christmas Bird Count!  It is here for the duration, just a matter if it survives.

Mega rare today, was the weather.  It was clear and sunny all day, and it was a Saturday!  I enjoyed the sun, as I walked around looking for birds.

While in the maintenance area, I looked for the White-eyed Vireo, a late record for Rondeau.  I found it along the maintenance fence, but lighting was horrible.  I could never get a handle on it for a good photo.

After the Kiskadee no-show, Jim Burk and I walked the campground.  There were a number of birds a the north end, but nothing unusual. 

One of at least 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in campground

This week, a Baltimore Oriole was lurking around, a bird I had hoped to see today.  I had never seen one in December.  It did not show today though.

Towards the south end of the campground, Jim and I heard the familiar call of the Kiskadee.  We walked towards it and I eventually found it soaking up the sunshine.

Others were not far away, and soon all present got to see the rarity.

It soon flew towards the maintenance area again out of sight.

After a look in the cottage area at the north end of the park, we parted ways.  I headed down to dog beach to take a gander at the lake.  I noticed a few Red-throated Loons swimming far out, so I dragged out the old scope.  I counted an impressive 33, an excellent number for this time of year.

After that, I headed back to the campground and maintenance area for another look.  Nothing new.

White-throated Sparrow

After wearing out Rondeau Park, I headed over to Erieau to check McGeachy Pond and the rail trail.  Things were rather quiet in that area.  Hopefully things will pick up for the CBC.

Bald Eagle

Some Early November Birding Rondeau Area

With anticipation of decent weather (for a change), I headed down to Rondeau Park early this morning as a finch invasion is underway.  Sure seemed strange to not be dodging rain!  The weather was bad all week ( with way too much rain), opposite to what it has been all year.

I birded throughout the morning with Steve Charbonneau, starting with a bit of a lakewatch at dog beach first thing.
Not much was moving today, as the lake was calm.  We did see a few loons and at least one Red-throated Loon among the ducks and a few Horned Grebes.
A couple of Common Redpolls flew over as we were leaving the beach, starting our finch list for the day.
Along south point trail, a few Pine Siskins were moving as well as several Purple Finches.
Yellow-rumped Warblers have thinned out considerably, making it easier to spot some other late warblers.

At one spot, Steve noticed a tardy Cape May Warbler.

This same spot held a Northern Parula, which was very active but never posed for a photo.
At one point I thought I saw a Nashville as well (it may well have been).

Now that it is November, the campground is closed for camping, and birders have free reign. Late fall is the best time for checking this locale and many good birds can be found.  It is a must stop on each visit this time of year.
Early on, we heard the first Evening Grosbeak of the day.  Although Steve was one lane over, I managed to get a good look at the bird as it flew northward.  I never got a photo of one today, so an old photo will have to suffice. Target bird of the day achieved!

There were a few Yellow-rumped Warblers in the area, but the best warbler of the day was a Bay-breasted.  It was very active, so no decent photo was obtained.

It was near the north end, and in the very tree I found the Townsend's Warbler last year--the only day it was seen WITHIN the park.
The Bay-breasted may be record late for Rondeau, but I have no other information at this time.

Lots of Cedar Waxwings were around, but their cousin that sports a cinnamon butt was nowhere to be found.  I have faith that one will be seen soon!

Three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were together in the campground which was interesting to see.

A couple always spend the winter here, so perhaps these may stay.

We then moved to Water Street near marsh trail where a number of birds were actively feeding.  A lingering Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was still present.  Also, another three Evening Grosbeaks briefly made their presence known.

The Great Kiskadee was looking good near the curve in Water Street.  There are still many birdwatchers seeking this rarity.

Later, I headed over to Erieau and checked out McGeachy Pond dike.  This is another good spot at this time of year, for whatever reason.
A number of birds were present, but at one point I was going to stand on one of the docks, when I flushed an interesting bird.
It was only a brief view, but I instantly knew it was a nightjar!  It gave a sound when flushed and my initial impression was Whip-poor-will.
I alerted Steve and he came over within a half hour.  We checked the same area, and luck was with us, as the bird flushed again.  We got a fairly decent view to confirm it as a Whip-poor-will!

Strangely, back on 4 November 2012 (the last good finch year!) we saw one at Rondeau park which was record late.

I checked out Blenheim Lagoons before heading home.  Shorebirds have thinned out considerably since last weekend.  About 20 Greater Yellowlegs and one Lesser were present among Dunlin.  At least one White-rumped and a possible Semipalmated Sandpiper (never got a decent look) were still hanging around.
The two Trumpeter Swans were still in the area as well.

Sunday I will be heading in the opposite direction which should prove interesting.

Sunset at Mitchell's Bay this past week

Spooktacular Birding Rondeau Area

As Halloween fast approaches, Rondeau and area was a decent choice for birding today.  Lots of birds and birders were out and about.  There were more birders than usual, since remarkably, the Great Kiskadee came back from an extended vacation!
I started with a lakewatch at dog beach, then checked out south point trail.  I then went over to Keith McLean CA along with Larry Cornelis and Steve Charbonneau to check for Nelson's Sparrows.

This blog is not complete without mentioning the weather.  Today turned out quite nice (despite the forecast) for the morning at least.  The afternoon was saw some incoming storms, and at one point I was almost looking for funnel clouds.  I got some good birding in before the weather turned nasty.

Tree down at Rondeau

Winds were not ideal for a lakewatch at dog beach, but I did one anyway since I cannot get there  during the week when weather is better.

Dawn at Dog Beach

Lots of ducks were moving, but nothing of note.  Just before I left the beach, a Great Blue Heron came in.

South point trail was fairly good with birds.  There were lots of Blackpoll Warblers, a couple of Tennessee, a couple of Nashville and some Palm besides the staple Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Blackpoll eating dogwood berries

Several Eastern Bluebirds had finally come in--the first I have seen since I do not know when!

I met up with Larry and Steve on south point and the next stop was McLean's.  Many other birders were on the loose there, and it did not take long to find some Nelson's Sparrows.

It was a lifer for Larry so he was happy.  He previously saw the Great Kiskadee for the first time as well.

A single Hudsonian Godwit was present and continuing, but distant.

The "hudwits" have made a good showing this fall.  Today, there were three at Blenheim Lagoons.  I was going to go in there, but a rather nasty storm was approaching.  Some years we do not see any, but several have been around lately.

I went back into Rondeau to look for more birds around the maintenance area.  I added a few species for the day.
Nearby, I went to look for the Great Kiskadee and saw it right away.  It was calling loudly and sat out for a bit.

I next headed over to Erieau and walked the rail trail.  It was a short walk as another rain storm came in.  As I approached the car, the winds really picked up making for some tense moments.
There was not much to see at Erieau pier.  I guess the winds were too strong and not in the right direction.

After the rain ended, I walked McGeachy to find a few more birds.  The Snow Goose was again in the pond, but no Ross's which was seen a couple of days ago.

On the way home, I passed by the lagoons.  A couple of birders were on the property when the storm hit, and were apparently marooned for some time. It was quite nasty as I headed up Communications Road with lots of hail and hard rain.

It was a decent day for birding, and we will see what tomorrow brings.

American Coots at McLean CA

Return to Rondeau and Another Snowy Egret

I headed down to Rondeau Park again early this morning.  By 06:30 the parking area at marsh trail was littered with cars, as expected.  Happily, the Great Kiskadee stayed overnight to delight hundreds of birders from near and far.
I bypassed the crowd and went down to Dog Beach for a lakewatch.  That was my original plan for Saturday.  A strong NE wind was blowing so there was some activity on the lake.  However, nothing of note showed during my watch.  But, one has to try!

At arrival, I noticed a lake freighter not far offshore.  We do not often see them from Rondeau, but obviously this was hugging the shore due to the strong wind.  I could not hold the camera still for a good photo in the poor light!

Ojibway off Rondeau

I did see a couple of Surf Scoters, first for the fall.  Numerous gulls and terns went by, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I checked south point trail afterwards, but it was rather quiet, save for a few warblers.

I then went back up to marsh trail to join the crowd.  These events are a great social time and nice to see so many familiar faces and strike up conversations.

The Great Kiskadee made sporadic appearances throughout the day for the hundreds of birders that came to see this spectacle.

Blake Mann, Rick Mayos, Dwayne Murphy, Allen Woodliffe
(photo courtesy Dwayne Murphy)

This bird is of course a first for Canada so everyone had to go and see it.  It certainly is not one I ever dreamed of getting on my Rondeau list (let alone Ontario), but indeed a real treat.  It is remarkable for a bird that is somewhat non-migratory and probably the neatest flycatcher ever to get into Ontario.

After a short snooze at home, I headed out to check Stewart Wetland.  Since the water was finally drawn down a couple of weeks ago (too high all summer due to excessive rain!), there was bound to be something of note at some point.
Upon arrival, I saw the usual birds, including a Wilson's Snipe.

At the far side of the wetland, I kept noticing a white spot which I thought perhaps was trash.  I looked a little harder, and it moved!
Turns out it was a Snowy Egret!

I got a little closer to make sure it was not something rarer, but it looked very similar to the individual at Keith McLean's (which is still present today).

It later flew to a closer spot and hunted for food.

With the recent rash of heron types in the province, I always though something of note would soon show up here.
I have found Cattle Egrets on two different occasions here, but this is the first Snowy Egret in the Wallaceburg area. (Although, I found one just up the road at Port Lambton back in May 1995).

No doubt more rarities are to be found in the province, so let us go find more!

Mega at Rondeau! Great Kiskadee visits Rondeau Provincial Park

I was off early as usual on this Friday and first stopped at Brander Park, Port Lambton.  Finally, there were a number of birds (especially warblers) to sort through.  I was about done and a message came through on Ontbirds about a Great Kiskadee at Rondeau.  What??

I left and made a bee line for Rondeau. Luckily there was not much traffic and I made it there in record time.  A few others were looking along the start of marsh trail, but to no avail. We stood at the spot it was seen earlier today for a bit, but then moved back towards the parking lot.

Keith Burk got ahead of us and soon Steve Charbonneau and I heard "GOT IT" from Keith.
It was right at the start of the trail, but we did not see it at first.  I then spotted the bird moving in a Willow tree.
I fired off countless photos with the camera in hopes one would turn out.
This is what we saw at first:

It came into clearer view where I got half decent shots.

We never saw it again despite several of us taking vigil.
Hopefully it will be around tomorrow with the throngs of birders who will no doubt be present.

This is about as mega as it gets.  I don't think there has been a record anywhere near here, let alone Ontario.
I was glad to make to the journey to Rondeau this afternoon and felt lucky to see this wonderful bird.

As a sidenote, it is interesting that a couple of days ago on iNaturalist, I just signed on as a follower of the finder of the bird.  See:
https://www.inaturalist.org/users/501095