South Beach Walk or Knot?

 I was definitely going to Rondeau today, but the walking plan was up in the air.  I had the notion of going out the south beach today, as this time of year is excellent for shorebirds and gulls.  

I started on south point trail as as usual, and eventually continued on towards the south beach.

There was not much migrant activity as is often the case in this hot weather.  Red-eyed Vireos were in good number finally, and resident birds were singing away.  However, it seem there are likely more to come.

At one point I recognized the song of a Kentucky Warbler.  Sometimes, something like a Carolina Wren can sound similar.  Even a Mourning Warbler if not heard well might sound similar.  But this was 100% Kentucky!  I could not get a good visual as it moved around quite a bit, but it was constantly singing.  The vegetation was quite thick in this area.  I gave up looking for it after a while!  Apparently Mike Irwin had it a couple hours later.

The lake was fairly calm today as I headed out, but the temps were increasing quickly.  I found quite a few shorebirds farther out the beach, including lots of Ruddy Turnstones, Semisands, Semiplovers, Least Sands, etc.

White-rumper

Dunlin, Least

Steve and Craig braved the entire marsh trail this morning and I actually met them after they arrived at the end.  The south beach meets the end of marsh trail very closely, but there is a narrow channel of water in between.

Craig noticed a White-tailed Deer swimming on the lake.  It was way out and coming in!  Where did it come from?  Ohio?  lol.  

This creature walked across the sand for a bit then jumped into the Bay.  It started swimming again.  Must have been on some kind of marathon!

I walked all the way out to the woody area near Erieau, then headed back.  My goal today was to see Whimbrel, but I saw none to that point and turned away somewhat dejected.

Soon after, I noticed a flock of about 30 shorebirds circling about in the bright sun.  I thought perhaps Dunlin, but it took some time before I realized they were Red Knots!

Eventually they found a spot to rest and feed.  I counted 31.

But 31?  In this day and age we often see them in onesies and twosies or some small number.  I do recall in the "old days" when I first started birding we would get flocks like this on the south beach.  What a treat!

While looking at these, I turned a bit to the Bay side and saw nine Whimbrel on the beach.  Where did these come from?  They were not there previously and I did not see them come in.  Mission accomplished.

I headed back on a high note after making a good choice for today.

I looked around other areas of the park before heading home and added some numbers.  Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers were in good numbers, and some flycatchers were in.  I added a FOY Olive-sided, my favourite flycatcher, plus an expected Acadian Flycatcher.  Still have not seen a Yellow-bellied!  Maybe tomorrow.....

Here is today's bird list:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S88662528

Looked at some plants, including the uncommon American Gromwell.

Ribbon Snake

Early May Update

This past Friday I headed down to Rondeau to do some serious birding.  I spent three days there and in the area.  Some decent birds were seen, but the quantity was not there yet.  Weather was fairly good except for a violent storm Friday afternoon which swept through southwestern Ontario.  It was not too bad along the lake, but places inland suffered worse.
A large White Pine came down along Lakeshore Road severing the hydro lines.  It took a long time to get things back up to speed.

Many first-of-year birds were seen over the course of the few days.

Hooded Warbler

Orchard Oriole

There were still tons of Swainson's Thrushes and other thrushes from the big fallout a couple days previous.

South Point trail has not been checked too often since it is still mostly flooded.  The times we did check, there were very few birds.

Solitary Sandpiper on SPT

Some hybrid warblers in the form of Brewster's were seen.  We had one singing a Blue-winged song at maintenance.  Even though it essentially looked like a Blue-winged, I did not like the wing bars.

Later on I thought I came across a Golden-winged, but the head was all wrong.  I was not able to get a proper photo of these two birds though.

Saturday was a nice day.
Just off Bennett Road, we encountered 3 Prothonotary Warblers in a battle for territory.  They were continuously chasing each other and very active.  As a result, this is the only photo I could get!

A female Cerulean Warbler was putting on a show at the NE corner of the park for many to see.

Summer Tanagers have made a good presence this year not only in Rondeau, but many spots.  This species seems to be becoming quite regular in spring migration.
Rondeau has had four or five, and sometimes two were seen together.  There was one in the campground I got to see.

In the evening, a very yellow individual was found near the start of the marsh trail.  It was taking advantage of wasps near an old cottage.

Saturday afternoon we went to the Blenheim Lagoons to see Long-billed Dowitchers and other shorebirds.  These dowitchers are somewhat uncommon in spring migration.

The evening was quiet pleasant, and after seeing the Summer Tanager, I started walking the marsh trail.  To my delight, I found the Kentucky Warbler that was seen earlier in the afternoon.

Josh Bouman joined me for a walk out marsh trail.  It was fairly productive with several warblers seen, including another female Cerulean.  Some early Blackpoll Warblers (inc. females!) were also in the mix today.

We also got 2 each of American and Least Bitterns.
At the parking lot just before leaving, a Common Nighthawk circled overhead to finish the day.

Sunday produced some decent birds.  After checking south point trail, we walked out marsh trail.  A nice male Prairie Warbler was singing atop a tree, but it did not stay long.
We encountered a weird warbler which appeared to be a Nashville (?), but very yellow in the face, chin and bill.  Perhaps it got into something? I was never able to get a decent photo.

In the afternoon, I found eight Willets circling the north end of the park on the lake.

Two Clay-colored Sparrows were nice to get at Dog Beach.

In the evening, I once again found the Kentucky Warbler on the lawn near marsh trail.

Monday was very quiet.  I took a long walk around the block, so to speak.  I found my second White-eyed Vireo of the trip along Gardiner.  There seems to be quiet a few around this spring of this declining species.

I left for over two hours thinking I would not return.

However, word was out that 5 American Avocets were at Keith McLean CA.  Back I went!  Luckily, they were still present along with at least 18 Willets.  They were fairly distant.

This spot should perhaps be checked more often!

May 8 Update: Rondeau Rounds

Spent the last 2+ days making some rounds at Rondeau Park.  Wednesday morning was pretty good after the overnight rain.  Lots of new birds had come in after a crappy Tuesday!  Many year birds added to the list.
I had around 24 species of warblers and the best one was a Kentucky on spicebush trail.  It was late in the day (around 7 p.m.) I decided to put some time in before dusk.  Earlier in the day a woman (name eludes us!) found one on the trail.  We looked later in the morning but it was a no-show.  Sure enough I spotted it in the very same location.

I spent most of the day with Steve Charbonneau.  We have been birding together quite often since 1987, so we have a good routine.  Wednesday we found a Golden-winged Warbler along Rondeau Road which I could not get a decent photo.  They are highly sought after by some!
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were plentiful as usual.

Magnolia Warblers were numerous, especially at maintenance.  Lots of Yellow-rumped were still around and a few Pine.
Red-headed Woodpeckers have made a good showing at Rondeau this spring, and are scattered throughout the park.

On tulip tree trail, I saw a Prothonotary Warbler pair.  It was nice to see both investigating the nest box, as each one went in and out a couple of times.

That afternoon I walked along the beach south of the light beacon.  I found our beaver, but I thought it was dead.  It was laying on its side on some debris.  However, it was just sleeping!  It saw me and took off.

In the evening, I did the traditional visitor centre watch for woodcock and whip-poor-will.  Around the 9 p.m. the whips started calling, but I only heard three from there.  Another was in the campground throughout the night.

Thursday we awoke to some fog on the east side.

My poor tree!

It turned out to be an extremely slow day for birding.  The lake was almost birdless.  The birds from the day before left and very little came in.  Our highlight was a male Hooded Warbler on the maintenance loop.

I went into Blenheim for lunch and food supplies, then checked the lagoons.  No Baird's.  The only interesting thing was a pair of Wilson's Phalaropes.  They came out of the grass at the first cell.  Maybe they will stay and nest!

In the afternoon I walked out south beach.  We used to do this quite regularly, but it is much too difficult anymore with all the erosion.  There is potential out there, but I will not be doing that again any time soon!
The only interesting thing was all the Great Black-backed Gulls.  I estimated close to 160.

Late in the evening, I looked at a Sedge Wren by maintenance that had previously been found.

In the evening, I did the VC thing again.  Same birds, but added a Black-crowned Night-Heron.

Sunrise to a very hot day

Today was a whole different story.  A lot of new birds came in.  Many different warblers and finally some vireos, as well a Indigo Buntings.  Red-eyed had been virtually absent until today.  Several vireos from Philadelphia also arrived. Lots of Scarlet Tanagers were in as well.

Lots of new warblers including Wilson's and Blackpoll

beginning of the end

I checked out south point first thing.  Interesting birds included a Brewster's and I heard the Chat that had been present for a few days.  Never saw it, but....

Steve and I found a Chat at the north end.

They are certainly scarce anymore and used to be quite regular at Rondeau as nesters.

At the VC feeder, a gambelii White-crowned was spotted.  The white supercilium goes right to the beak in case you did not know.  I never did manage to get a photo though.
Lots of Pine Siskins are still around and we here them throughout the park and see them at the feeders.

We found another Hooded Warbler at Bennett deer exclosure among other warblers.  I did not make it in time for the Worm-eating Warbler that Deryl Nethercott and his friend Rick found on Bennett.

The trees at the start of marsh trail were hopping with birds today. I checked them out around noon, but did not see that Summer Tanager!

Bay-breasted Warbler along Rondeau Bay

More fun on the way....