October Odds 'n Ends

 It has been a bit slow the past week, or at least nothing too exciting has crossed my path.  Lots of birds in various locations, but nothing in the rare category.  Some good birds have been turning up in the province, but not around here after the Black-tailed Gull!  Lots of potential yet though.......

There was a lot of camera lugging this week, but I never used it for about three days!  Just nothing I wanted to photograph.

This past Wednesday I went down to Rondeau and started with a lakewatch.  A good wind was blowing, but as usual, nothing of note showed up.  

It was a nice sunrise, as seen the above blog header photo. 🖞

After leaving the park, I took a look around Keith McLean C. L.  I did get a glimpse of a Nelson's Sparrow.

Thursday I went back to Rondeau for lack of any other place to go.  I did the long walk out marsh trail to Long Pond.  It was interesting, but again nothing of note.  Dark-eyed Junco was the bird of the day with close to 150 out there.  And, Swamp Sparrows (55) were numerous too needless to say.

As I got back to the parking lot, some Eastern Bluebirds were working their way north.  I intercepted them behind the park store,  There were at least five.

After leaving the park, once again I stopped by McLean's, just in case.  Some butterflies were out, including several sulphurs.

Also stopped by Bannerstone Conservation Lands.  The only thing of note was a "Yellow" Palm Warbler.  This is the rare one of the eastern range.  I usually see at least one of these every year.  Photo did not turn out well, as the camera did not co-operate.  So, does not show it very well.

Back at home, the only flower I have left in the garden is a Chrysanthemum which is attracting insects.

a member of the genus Clistopyga

These insects are very common all over, and are not identified specifically.  They are in the Long-tailed Aphid-eater complex.

Margined Calligrapher

Friday I did not go far and got some things done around home.  First thing in the morning, it was clear, but rain soon came in.  I was out at Port Lambton and saw a "perfect" rainbow.

Not sure what was at the end of the rainbow, but it was in Michigan!

By the time I got out for a walk at Brander Park, it was fading.

I walk at Peers Wetland in the afternoon was uneventful except for a sluggish Meadow Vole on the path.

Saturday, a good NW wind was forecast, so I went up to Kettle Point for a lakewatch.  There were lots of ducks moving, and a few gulls.  Shorebirds included Dunlin and Sanderlings.  But, yet again, nothing of note showed.  Where are the kittiwakes this year?  It is getting quite discouraging with these lakewatch!

Black Scoters scooting by

More insects in the garden.

Golden Dung Fly

There is not much around Wallaceburg to look at, so today I again went to Rondeau. I walked out marsh trail to the half way point.  It was a crisp and clear morning.  Seemed like there was potential for something of interest, but yet again nothing.  Lots of sparrows again.

Sparrow of the Swamp

One of these days, a Golden-crowned Sparrow is going to pop up!

White-crowned!

There were  a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, and only one Common Yellowthroat.  It showed nicely though in the early morning sun.

Another stop at Keith McLean C. L. revealed lots of Dunlin, a single Least Sandpiper, a couple of Pecs and around 80 Killdeer.  A couple of Wilson's Snipe rounded out the shorebirds during my visit.

Water levels are quite low all around now, so lots of mud available for what shorebirds are left to come.

Besides a couple of Buckeye, this Common Painted-Lady was enjoying the sun.

The sun is now setting for yet another day as I write this note.  Time is flying by!

Wallaceburg

September Stuff and More Rain Events

 Time for another blog post I suppose!  But not much to talk about lately.

Last Friday I went down to Rondeau and dealt with some rain.  There was a fair number of birds, but all expected.  I did a bit of a lakewatch at dog beach first thing, but little was moving.

Quite a few birds were moving through the parking lot.  This Great-crested Flycatcher stopped briefly.

About 18 species of warblers were on south point trail, including Blackpoll which was the most common.  Not chance for photos due to rain and bad lighting!

One of the most common ladies' tresses is showing well now.  Great Plains can be found throughout the park.

On Saturday, a stiff NW wind was forecast, so I headed up to Kettle Point.  Unfortunately, there was relentless rain!  There were brief periods where it stopped, but it kept coming.  

As a result, it was very uncomfortable and soaking wet!  As well, it curtailed the number of birds we saw.

Rainbows showed a couple of times.

However, there were some highlights, including a close Long-tailed Jaeger.  Photos were taken by another birder which can be found on eBird.  This bird was swimming on the water for a while, then eventually got up passing in front of us.

We also saw a Parasitic Jaeger fairly close just before that.  A couple of other distant jaegers remained unidentified.

Red-necked Phalaropes were around, and we caught sight of one as it laboured in the wind in front of us.

It would have been nice to stay there longer, but it was just too miserable and we eventually decided to head out.  There was no rain inland of course!

On the way home, I stopped by Marthaville Habitat Management Area to eat my lunch, and dry out during a walk.

Here are some insects encountered there:

Common Painted-Lady

Slender Spreadwing

White-faced Meadowhawk

It was nice later in the afternoon for a walk at Peers Wetland.  The place is back to "dead" mode!

Yesterday, I ended up at Sarnia.  It was a beautiful day, but no birds to speak of.  The John D. Leitch was downbound after layup.  This ship is likely in its final year, being the last holdout of the old Upper Lakes Shipping.  Not the most attractive design!

Not many insects in the garden lately.  This Hornworm Tachnid Fly was working the garden late yesterday.

Today 'seemed' like a good day to check out Rondeau.  Not really though, as there were very few birds!

Only a handful of warblers and vireos were on south point trail and elsewhere, among other things.

Over at Keith McLean C. L., things are looking better for shorebirds.  Only four Greater Yellowlegs were there today though.  I suspect a Hudsonian Godwit will show soon!

I am still seeing Fiery Skipper there.

As well, lots of Common Checkered-Skippers were out today.

In the history department, the Great Lakes passenger steamer South American burned on this day in 1925 at Holland Michigan.  It was rebuilt and sailed until the 1960's.

I recall seeing this ship and here is the evidence!  Albeit a very poor photo at Seager Park on the St Clair River, late afternoon looking into the sun.

1965

It was eventually towed to Camden, New Jersey on the Delaware River.  I actually saw it in July 1984 when my father and I took a trip to Philadelphia.  It was under the steel structure at Camden, New Jersey as seen near the left of the photo (barely visible).  Note balloon pollution!

More Lakewatches and Walks

 On Saturday I went up to Sarnia for a lakewatch at the parking lot in front of the water plant.  The winds were not all that ideal, but I did not feel like going up to Kettle Point.  The winds were too much west, but here we need a wind directly out of the north for best results.

I did not see anything noteworthy, except a pair of late Caspian Terns.  Latest I have seen some here.  Kettle Point was obviously the better spot, as a Purple Sandpiper, Red Phalarope and some Brant were seen!  I am sure better days are ahead.

I spent less than two hours at the lake, then worked my way back home by stopping at various spots.  Dow Wetlands had a few birds, including this Nashville Warbler.  It was a dismal day, so lighting was bad.

Some Cedar Waxwings were taking advantage of some nearby berries.

Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport had a somewhat late House Wren. This photo turned out quite well despite the dismal day.

Beavers have been busy in the area here.

Sunday, was a nicer day, but with a stiffer NW wind.  I thought it would be a better day for Kettle Point, so that is where I went!  

(old photo)

There were lots of ducks moving.  I hate trying to count ducks and trying to identify the more distant ones!

White-winged Scoter

We did see two decent types of birds!  Early on, a Black-legged Kittiwake went by.  I never got on it with the camera though.  Not long after, a jaeger suddenly appeared.  It was kind of obvious from the start it was a Pomarine.  Further analysis confirmed our suspicions.

Often, there is not much time to get the camera on things as they buzz by.  Here is what happens when one is not quick enough!

Today, I visited some local spots.  The morning was cloudless, but cold.  We had our first frost of the season overnight.

In the afternoon, I went for another walk through the woods at Reid CA.  The trees are turning nicely.

Hardly any birds, as expected, but I looked at plants and trees.

Moonseed

Along the river, I found a Giant Floater mussel, which is very common here.

I keep an eye out for what is passing through the yard.  This Hermit Thrush was in my yard all day.

You never know what may show up!