Wind Influx!

 Sorry, I could not think of another title, lol.  But we did have some brutal winds this week.  Friday, and into Friday night was crazy with winds.  Gusts up to 80 km/h at least.  We were lucky there was not much damage, but hydro did go out in a few places.

Last Monday, it got quite balmy.  In the morning, I went out to the St. Clair River, but most of the ducks have cleared out (they are elsewhere such as Lake St. Clair and Rondeau Bay!).  So, not much to look at.

During a short walk, I looked at an old Bitternut Hickory tree in Brander Park.  Not in the best of shape.

In the afternoon, it was really warm,  and I went for a walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  I suspected butterflies would be out, namely Eastern Comma and Mourning Cloak.  I only saw one cloak, but likely commas were around.

It was a nice walk and here are some scenes.

Pileated activity!

At one point, which is one in a million chance, I saw this lying on the forest floor.  I assume it is a baby squirrel.

The next day, I went to Rondeau Park for a lakewatch.  It was really active, but nothing of note at dog beach.

Eventually it got really foggy and drizzly outside the park.  I was going to check out Erieau, but I could not see a thing!  It was a bit better inland.

A couple days previous, a Brewer's Blackbird was seen in the picnic area near the park store within a group of blackbirds.  I actually found the same flock (assumingly), and looked for the subject bird.  I am quite certain I saw it, but I did not get really long looks at it.  Being cautious, I left it as blackbird sp.  Not often we see Brewer's at Rondeau, but no doubt some pass through.

Next couple of days were uneventful, but Friday the 13th I went out to the Lake St. Clair area.  It was too windy to get out of the car, but I spent some time at Mitchell's Bay, then drove around the old Dover Township.  Did not go all the way to Port Dover....lol.

There are thousands of Canvasback on the Bay, which is normal for this time of year.

These two Tundra Swans were all alone in one field.

A couple of spots harboured hundreds of puddle ducks.  Northern Pintail seemed to be the most numerous, with hundreds around.  I was hoping to spot a Eurasian Wigeon, but to no avail!

A Sandhill Crane was nearby as well.

Nearer home, I stopped by the Bear Creek Unit of St. Clair NWA.  Not often I go to this neat little place.  Lots of Ring-necked Ducks there.  I finally saw a Pied-billed Grebe for the year.   Usually I see them on the Snye in early winter, but not this year.

Saturday was a nice day, but cold.  And little wind!  For a change in scenery, I went up to Sarnia.  I first walked the Blackwell Trails park, which was once an old landfill.   

Just after I started walking, I spotted a Fox Sparrow, which was certainly an early migrant I would think.

During my over 3 km walk, notable were a couple of Pine Siskins flying overhead.  First for the year, which seemed overdue.  I have had a difficult time finding them in the last fifteen months!  All have been flyovers since then!

Next walk was at Dow Wetlands.  Nothing of note there.  Some meadowlarks were singing already, while a Turkey Vulture soared overhead.

Today I checked out Mitchell's Bay area again.  Unfortunately, it was cold and very windy.  Where does all that wind come from?  I brought my scope out to the south shore nature trail.  Nothing of note, but I could only stand less than an hour there.

I then went to the village waterfront.  Mostly Canvasback seen.  There are well over 15,000 visible on the Bay right now.

Three early Double-crested Cormorants flew by me as well.

While I was there, a Greater White-fronted Goose was reported near Hillman Marsh in Essex County.  I decided to head that way, as there was not anything else to do.

The goose was not in the reported location upon my arrival, so I went into Hillman marsh to look at the shorebird cell.

Just after my arrival, I spotted the subject goose in flight!  Lucky break since it was not seen again.

By this time it was warming up a little and I could find a spot out of the wind to scope the waterfowl.  There were at least a thousand ducks in the east end of the cell.  Most were Mallard, but lots of Gadwall and wigeon and even more Green-winged Teal.

I searched in vain for a Eurasian Wigeon, but struck out again.  While thinking about the Eurasian types, I also looked for Common Teal.  Probably one around, but I could not look at everything!

Other first-of-years included Blue-winged Teal and some early Tree Swallows.

There is a swallow in this photo!

All-in-all it was  decent birding day.

By the way, my wintering Fox Sparrow left on the night of March 6 when we had that warm front come in.  It was nice to have it all winter!

Waterfowl Times

 This is the time of year we usually concentrate on waterfowl watching.  Lots of stuff coming in on their journey north!

Last Friday, I checked out Lake St. Clair area.  There was still quite a bit of ice though.

The day before, a Eurasian Wigeon was along Angler Line, but did not show up for those looking Friday.  However, I did find a Ross's Goose which is almost as good.  A bit distant and looking into the sun did not help in the photographic department.

A couple of Sandhill Cranes nearby appeared to be in a mating ritual.

Saturday, I had the urge to head to Sarnia along the St. Clair River.  The river has completely cleared out, so not much in the way of waterfowl concentration.  Long-tailed Ducks were the most numerous, scattered all the way along.  There were no notables on my jouney!

Sunday, it was in the opposite direction where I headed to Hillman marsh for a long walk.  Water levels are quite low.

Still lots of ice there as well, but there was a good number of waterfowl and gulls by the hundreds.

At least five Trumpeter Swans were in the marsh.

Bald Eagles were nesting nearby, obvious to the very large nests they build.

On the way home, I checked out Balmoral Line.  Among other things, a single Greater White-fronted Goose was among Canadas.  Too distant though for a photo.  It was a first-of-year for me.

Monday, I did not do much, but spent some time along the river.  Went for a walk in Brander Park.

A large White Ash tree was a victim of the Emerald Ash Borer here.

Tuesday I went to Rondeau!  It was rather quiet for birds though.  I could see thousands of ducks on the far side of the Bay, much too far even for the scope.  No doubt a Eurasian Wigeon was among them!

Heading home, I swung over to Erieau and walked the marsh (rail) trail.  It was quite birdy with waterfowl.

Highlight, was a flock of eight Greater White-fronted Geese in the corn field.  Eventually, they got up and circle several time not knowing what to do next.

Today, was a cool, but sunny day, so I went for a long walk at Reid CA.  Practically no birds, but I did flush up an American Woodcock.  A first for the year.  I was quite happy with the long walk to get my mind off things of late.

The ice went out of the Sydenham last week very quickly and the water levels had receded by today.  I came across a couple of river mussels.

White Heelsplitter

Fragile Papershell

Now that ice is gone, I can look for mussels again after along winter!

In the history department:

March 12, 1907 was the launch date of the D. O. Mills lake freighter.  Later renamed G. A. Tomlinson, it lasted until 1979 when it was scrapped.

Back when I was very young, I took a photo of this vessel on the Detroit River while on one of the Bob-Lo steamers.

Insects and Birds of Late

 There have been quiet a few slow days for birding lately, but I did have a couple of decent days.

I have been to Mitchell's Bay south shore trail a few times.  Wednesday was fairly decent, but nothing special.  Other times, rather slow for birds!  The place always has the potential for something decent, especially in the water bird department.  I learned recently, that a juvenile Little Blue Heron was in the vicinity on August 8.  But that was over near the trailer park.

Thursday I went down to Rondeau and walked out marsh trail.  It was one of the better days with lots of warblers and other birds.  However, lighting was absolutely horrible, so many went unidentified.  Birds were "streaming" north as they usually do on NE winds.  It kept me busy though.

This Peregrine Falcon made an appearance at one point

Friday, I did a change in scenery and ventured to Hillman Marsh.  It was one of those slow days for birds!  But one never knows without looking.  Maybe some Wood Storks could make an appearance...

Firstly, I went straight down to Cedar Springs to check for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper that was found by Jim the previous day.  It was difficult to find and follow, but I did see at least one.  These dainty shorebirds have been late and scarce so far this year in southern Ontario.

Over at Hillman, several Osprey have been hanging around lately.

I came across a Shadow Darner at one point.  In the shadows of course! I have been seeing quite a few in various places recently.

Common checkered-skippers were numerous around the shorebird cell as always.

Saturday, it was fairly local for walks.  In the afternoon, I took my usual long walk around the back field. Scenes along the trail: 

Here too, I came across a Shadow Darner, but it was at the edge of the bean field.

Wandering Gliders are numerous right now.  They do a lot of wandering since they are one of the most widespread dragonflies!

Royal River Cruisers have thinned out.  I have only been seeing one or two recently.

A checkered skipper was here as well.

Grey Commas are regular at Reid.

Lots of angle-wings were are around, especially along the roads.

The only warbler I saw was a Magnolia.

When I got home, I noticed I had a passenger.  Somewhere at Reid I picked up a White-spotted Prominent moth caterpillar.

Lots of Lance-tipped Darners are around right now also.  Many I have found in the "wheel" position, as this one was at Peers Wetland.

The garden has had fewer insects recently since many flowers that I have are done.  I found this Eastern Calligrapher, which is quite tiny and difficult to photograph.  They can go un-noticed but are quite common though.

Several different butterflies have visited the yard, including Peck's Skippers.  (still waiting for a Zabulon!).

Sunday was a really slow day for birds and I could not find anything much!  This Common Buckeye visited the yard in the afternoon.  Not often I get one in the yard.

Peers Wetland has really been dead for birds this year.  I visit there several times a week, but without much success.  Better for insects I guess!  This Common Painted-Lady was on the trail Sunday.

And lots of Lance-tipped Darners!

Seems to be a common theme at Peers!

Today, with the recent north winds, it looked good for a visit to Rondeau.  I mainly did south point trail, and it was littered with warblers and vireos.  They were moving around a lot, so difficult to stay on.  I tallied 17 species of warblers.  There were lots of Magnolia and American Redstarts and Black-throated Greens.   I missed Canada, but a few Wilson's were around.

We had hoped that a Loggerhead Shrike would make an appearance.  One was photographed just south of dog beach yesterday!  Must have moved on....

Near the maintenance yard, I stopped by a patch of goldenrod.  Several flies of various sorts were there.  Here are some that I noticed.

Transverse-banded Flower Fly

Narrow-headed Marsh Fly

Black-shouldered Drone Fly

I gave Keith McLean Conservation Lands a try before heading home.  Nothing of note for birds, but still has lots of potential.  

I saw a Fiery Skipper at one point. 

A couple of Common Painted-Lady were on the dike.

Hopefully some decent shorebirds will show up in the next while.  We are a bit starved for them!