A Few Early Spring Sightings

 I stopped by the south shore trail at Mitchell's Bay a couple of days ago.  I was hoping to see some early spring migrants, but it was rather quiet.  This trail can be quite productive for a variety of birds at times.  Even rarities, such as the Sage Thrasher I found in November 2021!

If one is not quick enough with the camera, this is what can happen:

American Kestrel with Tree Swallow

Most of the diving ducks have left the Bay, but Ruddy Ducks were in full force.  From what I could see, there were well over 3000.

After I finished here, it was warm enough to head up to Reid CA for a long walk.  Some of the wildflowers are starting to come out.  Of the millions of Trout Lily plants, I only found one in bloom!

There is a significant population the White Trout Lily here, but they were far from blooming.

Virginia Spring Beauty was out all over, and some insects were taking advantage.  I took this photo, and the bee comes up as a Spring Beauty Miner.

Another insect was possibly a Taurus Mason Bee, which is non-native.

Purple Cress is in full bloom in the wetter areas.

Most of the Dutchman Breeches were not out in bloom, but I did find a couple.

Squirrel Corn, a very similar plant is supposed to be here, but I have yet to find any.

There were several Greater Bee Flies roaming around.

The expected butterflies included Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak and Red Admiral.

In the woods along the back field, I came across some old farm equipment left here decades ago.

Various frogs were singing this day, including Green.

On Wednesday, it promised to be very warm, so I headed down to Rondeau.  Not as many birds as I had hoped, but it was a good day.  I did quite a bit of walking, totaling more than 15 km.

The longest (and last) walk was well out marsh trail.  It was quite evident that there was an influx of butterflies, especially Red Admiral and American Painted-Lady.

Reports from all over southwestern Ontario revealed there was a bit of an invasion of these creatures.  The last huge invasion was 2012.  That was a banner year for insects and there has not been such an event since.  Time will tell what this year brings.

Common Green Darners were out in numbers as well.  (Although some show a lot of blue!).

Along the trail I kept seeing some flower flies.  Turns out most of these were Black-shouldered Drone Fly.

Some first-of-year birds included American Bittern, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Sora while out the marsh trail.

First thing in the morning I walked south point trail.  It was quite active, but nothing out of the ordinary for birds.

The "new" washout area is holding its own.  There is enough beach barrier to keep things dry....for now.

Early Spring Sightings and Wanderings

 I have been wandering around much lately (maybe too much!) looking for whatever peaks my interest.  Migration has been rather light in the bird department this past week with the weather almost too nice.

Turtles certainly enjoyed the balmy weather as I saw dozens of Midland Painted and a few Blandings.  This Blandings was at a bad angle.

I took an evening walk at Mitchell's Bay south trail to see what was around.  Very quiet!  I did add a couple of first-of-year birds if nothing else.

A lone Sandhill Crane was feeding in the field.

Aimlessly wandering one day, I stopped by Mandaumin Woods nature reserve in Lambton County.  It is owned by Lambton Wildlife, and was saved for the plant life.  One does not go there to observe many birds (I remember Dennis Rupert saying once)!  I have driven by the place a hundred times, but this was the first time I went in!

Scene at Mandaumin Woods

I came across a couple of Eastern Commas, as well as Greater Bee Flies.

Peers Wetland has been very quiet (aka dead) this week for birds.  Only a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers there so far, and a few ducks.

Ruddy Ducks

I stumbled upon this baby Midland Painted Turtle at one point.

Yesterday (Saturday), I did the long marsh walk at Rondeau park out to Long Pond.  There is always potential out there, but not too much of note this day.  Sparrows are a good target.  Some Savannah Sparrows were along the trail.

The most notable bird was a plain-looking Northern Mockingbird.  Always nice to come across in any case.

In the afternoon, I could not resist another walk at Reid CA.  I looked at plants more than anything, but more are still to come up.  Of course, Trout Lilly is the most common which carpets the forest floor.  The odd white one, apparently a distinct species, can be found.

Here is the usual yellow form.

Purple Cress is blooming here and there.

Earlier in the week, I was still seeing some Harbinger of Spring.

Near the end of the walk, I noticed this little Dekay's Brown Snake.

I used to see Fox Snakes there regularly, and once I even came across a Milk Snake.

Thought this was amusing.  I saw this old pop can, which was in the same spot I saw it at least ten years ago, way back in the woods.

I had not been to Point Pelee in some time, so today was the day to go!  Birds were scarce (again) and I did not even see a Yellow-rumped Warbler!  However, my target bird was Louisiana Waterthrush, which can easily be missed in a year.

My first pass on Woodland trail was unsuccessful, but later it co-operated nicely.  It as quite distant, but these highly-cropped photos I was pleased with.

At the Tip, a couple of nice adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were resting.

I got lucky with a "bonus" for the day.  Kory Renaud came across 44 American Avocets at Hillman Marsh.  Since the species is my favourite shorebird, I had to go!  They were quite distant though.

This is fairly early for them, especially that number, but we will take it!

At Wheatley Harbour I stopped for a quick look.  This Iceland Gull was patrolling the shoreline.  It is a messy-looking individual, but seems to fit the bill.