Knot Much To Report

Being back to work for the most part during the week (although a good thing), has left me less time to be outdoors.  As well, migration suddenly came to a snail's pace recently as most birds have reached their breeding grounds.  There is still lots to see though.

Saturday I decided to head to north Lambton, something I have not done all spring due to obvious reasons.  Pinery was the main destination, but just as I arrived in the area, the clouds rolled in and the north wind picked up.  That certainly made things disappointing!  Typical weekend weather!

I first stopped at Ausable River Cut CA.  Nothing really of note there.  There were Pine Warblers singing and a Black-and-White but those are breeding birds.

Along the Cut

At Pinery, I did quite a bit of walking and driving, but found things rather quiet.  I thought even the usual breeding birds were scarce.  There were virtually no migrants.
I had hoped to find Prairie Warblers which are once again there.  It took quite a bit of searching but near the end I did find one.  It did not help that a brisk northerly wind was coming in off the lake making things difficult in the hearing department.  Hearing birds sing is a big part of birding for me.

I spent quite a few hours in the park and just like clockwork when I was leaving, the skies cleared to bring in sunshine......

On the way home I did spot a Common Raven, which is certainly a more common sight in north Lambton anymore.

Sunday, I went down to Rondeau and did too much walking.  My feet were not fully recovered from the previous week!  Some late migrants included several Blackpoll Warblers, Wilson's Warblers, and a Bay-breasted.  There will still be lingering migrants.  My latest Blackpoll for Rondeau is June 22.

Several Acadian Flycatchers are around and I encountered at least four in the deep woods.  Too dark for good photos.

I also wanted to check the beaches for shorebirds, of which I did find some.  The goal this day was to see a Red Knot.  Best area would be out the south beach, which requires a long and tiring walk!
I headed down the west side of south point trail.  That area is a good one for thrushes, and I said to myself that those thrush migrants have certainly cleared out, as I had not yet encountered any.  It was not five minutes later, I saw a thrush, but it was a Hermit!  A bit unusual for one at this date.

As I headed out the beach, I wondered if this was worth it.  I could not see any shorebirds in the distance, but there were some gulls towards Erieau.  I kept going and kept wondering if I should give up.  I then saw some Dunlin, a Semiplover and a Black-bellied Plover. 

Well, I will keep going I guess.  After more walking I still could not see the big sandy break as a woody area was ahead.  This spot was infested with midges and difficult to get through!  I came out all smidged with smudges  smudged with midges.  Even my phone was all smudged up although it was in my pocket the whole time!

After getting through that, I finally could see lots of gulls and even a flock of shorebirds.  Although very distant, I could pick out a Red Knot!  Mission accomplished.

I had to go more than another half kilometre to get close enough to ID all the shorebirds.  A few Turkey Vultures kept getting up and that did not help as they scattered the birds.

Find the Knot

There were Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, a White-rumped Sandpiper, and the most obvious, a Whimbrel.

The Whimbrel co-operated quite nicely at least.  I wish it was a shorebird with a longer and straighter bill.

Gull included lots of bonies, a Little Gull, Glaucous Gull, Ring-billed and Herring.  There could have been something else in the gull department, but I did not go any further.  Black-headed was certainly on my mind at least, but let us not get greedy.

After some good looks, it was time to take the long trek back to the car.

Years ago, we used to walk out the south beach quite regularly, but that was when there was a good shoreline and beach.  So much has disappeared over the years and the shoreline has been pushed back.  The wooded areas have disappeared, and some of the fallen trees block your way.
It is even closer to the end of the marsh trail now.  As I walked past the end of the marsh trail, I remembered one day it was dry enough to walk across!

We used to see good-sized flocks of Red Knots out there, but nowadays we see one or two individuals if any at all.  Times have changed!

Tree Galls

River Runs, Skunk's Misery, Pinery Visit

Late Friday I checked out the St. Clair River to Corunna.  The best spots presently are Cathcart Park and Guthrie Park.  Warm water outflows have left the river partially open at these locations during the recent cold spell.

The adult Trumpeter Swan was still visible at Cathcart Park, but I did not have the camera on hand.
There was quite a variety of waterfowl here, including more Tundra Swans.

I got to Corunna by sunset, then went on into Sarnia.  A coyote was crossing the ice to Stag Island, but really out of range for the camera.

South of Sarnia just before dark, I saw this Red Fox bounding across a field.

Saturday morning I decided to check the river again.  The immature Trumpeter Swan (at least I think so) was visible at Cath's Cart Park among some Tundras and many Mutes.  It is one of the more odd-looking swans I have ever seen.

There was nothing else of note visible, but there is open water all the up to the OC outflow.  Much of it is not accessible or one cannot get a good view due to the trees in front of OC Industries.

A pair of Bald Eagles was frolicking around here.

There was lots to see at Guthrie Park, Corunna.  Early on, a Greater White-fronted Goose made an appearance.  Nice to see this time of year!  One was at Sarnia earlier in January, so this is likely the same individual as things have frozen solid there.

Lots of Long-tailed Ducks were present, as well as many other species.

Long-tailed Ducks

I headed back south and drove the entire length of Oil Springs Line to where it passes the Sydenham Nature Reserve.  There were dozens of Horned Larks, some Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs along the way.  Also , lots of Dark-eyed Juncos and some other sparrows.  It is a good road to check out during the peak of winter.

I headed into the Mosa Forest area (Skunk's Misery) and drove around.  My hope was to view a Golden Eagle, but that never materialized!  They winter in this area, but I guess it is just luck to come across one.
I walked one trail and found some birds.  Included were a number of American Robins and two Hermit Thrushes.

The Hermit Thrushes did not co-operate for photos very well.

Sunday, a change in scenery was in order, so I headed up to Pinery Provincial Park.  The visitor feeder setup is the best place to see a variety of birds.  It did not disappoint.

Many squirrels were taking advantage of the spilled seed.

Highlight was an "Oregon" Junco.  Been some time since I have seen one!

The wintering White-throated Sparrow made an appearance as well.

Lots of Pine Siskins were busy at the nyjer feeders, as were a few Common Redpolls.

Many Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were around as well.

At one point, a flock of about 65 Cedar Waxwings came in to feed in the cedars.  Alas, no Bohemians with them.

One more walk for the day was at Ausable River Cut CA.  It was quite pleasant as the sun had come out, unusual for a weekend.
I found a good pocket of birds which included a timid Hermit Thrush.

A pair of Carolina Wrens was also in the group, along with many chickadees, titmice and nuthatches.

Turned out to be a decent weekend with especially with the rare nice weather.

Another Crack at Rondeau

Today was more like it.  Very pleasant weather for being outdoors.  I did a different routine today, starting in the campground.  In the winter I usually start there as it is the best spot for birds, but today I decided to check it out first after a brief stop at pony barn area.  A couple of Hermit Thrushes were there, including one trying to sing!

There were more birds today in the campground, but nothing special.  A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was one of the less-common species I found.

The Summer Tanager was atop the chimney when I drove by this morning.

Later, I made a brief stop at dog beach.  It looks like many of the Horned Grebes from yesterday have departed.

South point trail was rather quiet, as it usually is this time of year, but it was a nice walk.  I went further than usual, braving the washout area! I had not been past there since last spring.  It was not the easiest walk, but I was curious about the shoreline.  The scenery sure has changed and seemed completely new to me.

Remnant from the Past Revealed

At the other side of south point trail, there were a few birds to look at including a Winter Wren--the first in a while.

Lake Erie's Hunger

Later, I met Steve Charbonneau for a walk out marsh trail.  I had not been out there in a couple of month at least.  It has been such a windy fall, it was not worth the effort before.
It was rather quiet too, but a number of birds were at the start of the trail, including another Winter Wren.

My only other spot to visit today was Blenheim Lagoons.  There are still hundreds of ducks including upwards of 150 Northern Shovelers. The back pond (5) is really good with mud and water.  Quite a few Green-winged Teal were there among several other species.

Over 1000 Ring-billed Gulls were sitting in the pond with only 2 Herrring Gulls that I could see.

About 300 Canada Geese were in pond 3 and one very small one was with them.  A Cackling Goose.

Very warm weather is forecast this week and even warmer next weekend.  So much for winter!

NOTE:  Rondeau Park will be close this Tuesday through Thursday for deer herd management.