Christmas Season Notes

 Here we are and it is Christmas already.  Nothing exciting around here as usual, but I have been out and about.  There has been a lack of good subject matter for this blog lately, so I am struggling with it.

On Friday, I headed down to Wheatley Harbour and Point Pelee.  There was quite a bit of activity with birds around Wheatley, but I could not find anything of note.  A few Double-crested Cormorants were in the harbour.  There are always a few hardy individuals this time of year.

They were in the C-K portion.  It is always dicey as to what county you are in at the harbour.  The channel is not the dividing line.  Here is a photo showing the county lines.

I noticed an interesting ferry at Hike Metals.  I think it is the old Sombra ferry, Daldean, but has been extensively rebuilt.  I am not certain, but I know of no other ferry like it.

I could see no indications of name, but the Daldean went to Bob-Lo Island when it was sold back in 2020.  I did some research, and it was renamed Columbia VII.  However I could not find any photos.  I am fairly certain that is what it is, as the basic structure is the same.  I do not like the colours though!

aboard Lowell D

In the Hike Metals yard, there is a smaller ferry that has been sitting there for years.  It is the old Walpole ferry, Lowell D, name after my uncle.  It also spent some time at Sombra.  These two ferries were once owned by my grandfather who operated the ferry business for a time at Walpole, then Sombra.  

The last time these two ferries were together was a long time ago!  A reunion of sorts!

Photo from many  years ago before wheelhouse was rebuilt

I did not spend much time at Point Pelee and did find much as usual.

Saturday, I spent some time along the St. Clair River.  Once again, it is dead for birds for the most part.

Kaye E. Barker

Skies were relatively clear, but there was a lot of shimmer, as seen in the above photo, since it did not come out sharp.

Sunday, I went to Rondeau.  It was quite cold, but the skies were clear.  Why was it not like that a week earlier?  Probably because no bird count was scheduled!

Only half a moon this day!

Everything was frozen from the cold weather.

Bay Ice

I needed a long walk, so went out marsh trail to Long Pond.

Scene at frozen Long Pond

At Long Pond, two Killdeer were on the ice.  They were calling, wondering what they were still doing at these latitudes.  A bit too distant for  photos though.

Some curious Black-capped Chickadees were along were along the trail foraging for food.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was the only notable, but there have been quite a few this month sticking around.  It was near the cottages just as I was finishing up my 11 km walk!

Monday was quite birdless everywhere!  I spent some time along the St. Clair River, but it was even quieter than the previous visit.  Climate change!!!

Today was a very dismal day weatherwise and birdwise, not what we would like to see for the Christmas season.  I went for a walk at Reid CA this morning to collect my thoughts.

Scene along the Sydenham at the high point

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Adventure on the Marsh Trail

 Yesterday I decided to head down to Rondeau Park to get some exercise and for a change in scenery.  There is no decent place close to home for a vigorous walk, so Rondeau's marsh trail was a good choice!  I was joined by Steve Charbonneau and we walked out to Long Pond.  

It is a good spot to shoot for then turn back; a 10 km round trip!

This 'point' on the trail is where we always went to when conducting Big Days of birding at Rondeau.  Steve, Mac McAlpine and I (and other companions in certain years) had a tradition of doing this walk in May on a given evening for the Big Day.  It is always an interesting walk and you never know what you may encounter.  We could get several species that we usually would not find in other parts of the park.

The entire marsh trail is a linear feature, about a 14 km round trip.  It used to be open to the public for driving to the "half way parking lot", but that was before my time.  Up until a few years ago, it was still drivable for park staff or hunters in the fall months.  But, with the recent high water and erosion, it is not possible any more.  The first section of the trail has eroded away and it is even difficult to walk.  Once you are past this, it is fairly easy walking on the old road.

Any time of year can be interesting.

Early spring is a good time for ducks, especially in late March.

Summer is nice for butterflies.  The sedge skippers can be found in abundance.  One can find Mulberry-Wing, for example.

The marsh tower is long gone. It was really built too far out, and the unforseen high water and erosion took its toll on the structure in later years.

Our walk yesterday was quite nice with virtually no wind, but of course under the usual cloudy skies.  At Long Pond, a pair of Sandhill Cranes was standing on the ice.  We were looking through phragmites though.

A rare Rondeau Poly-Duck was on Long Pond struggling in the ice.  It should have migrated weeks ago!

We encountered a couple of Marsh Wrens and a Common Yellowthroat closer to the Long Pond trail.  On the way back, we found more birds, including another more Marsh Wrens.

Another Common Yellowthroat was a little more co-operative.

Three Ruby-crowned Kinglets were spotted, each in a different location.

American Tree Sparrows are rather few this winter, but some were noted on the walk.

The walk was enjoyable and one wonders what all is actually out there.  Since we only see a very small portion of the marsh, no doubt there are many more wrens and yellowthroats out there, plus some Virginia Rails I am sure.

Our list for the walk:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S79885008

Today, I did not go far, but kept an eye out for the local blackbird flock.  Around mid afternoon I ventured out to Peers Wetland for a walk.  At first I did not see any blackbirds, but just before I left, I noticed the big flock across the road.  I caught sight of one of the Yellow-headed males.

As noted previously, this flock has been around town for some weeks, but mostly seems to be at the east end.  I live near the east end of town and kept watch late this afternoon for any blackbirds.  Sure enough, they headed southwest to roost around 5:15-5:20.  No doubt the Yellow-headeds were there, but I did not spot them.