Spring Walks and Scenes This Week

 I was able to get out for some walks this past week, as we have had some decent weather.

The usual spring arrivals are showing up.  This Eastern Phoebe was in my yard earlier this week on a rainy day.

A lot more gulls have shown up as expected, including this Ring-billed Gull along the St. Clair River.

Herring Gull in background

On Tuesday, I was due for another long walk, so I took advantage of the nice morning and walked out Rondeau's south beach.  There was not much variety in birds, but the clear skies made for a good walk.

Marsh View

It was quite cold overnight, so there was some ice.

Continued walking back via the east beach.

Along east side beach

This Pileated Woodpecker was not sure what direction to go.

There were lots of Horned Grebes swimming in the early morning light.  I was hoping to see a Red-necked, but that never happened!

One of the mussel shells I encountered was a Wabash Pigtoe.  It is an endangered species, but I have come across them several times before at Rondeau.  Always well-weathered!

Remnants of last fall's waterfowl hunt were evident on the beach!

After the walk, I scoped the Bay for ducks.  We still cannot find a Eurasian Wigeon!  Every place else seems to have them.....

One last stop was a quick walk at Keith McLean C. L.  I finally saw an Eastern Bluebird for the year!  I was not able to get a decent photo, but pleased to see one after a long absence.

They just were not around to any degree this winter, like many other birds.

Northern Flickers have arrived in numbers recently.

Yesterday morning I started out at Mitchell's Bay.  Nothing special, but Great Egrets have arrived in numbers.

Hundreds of Tundra Swans were in fairly close for a change.

Later in the day, I did some birding in the Sarnia area since there was a Lambton Wildlife meeting in the evening.

I accidently stumbled upon a soon-to-depart owl.  There were hardly any owls around our area this winter.  Snowy Owls were absent in the area for sure, among others.

Today was quite nice in the morning.  It was sunny this morning despite the forecast.  I guess it was a little delayed as the clouds and rain rolled in just before noon.

I took advantage and went for a long walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  Pleasant to get back in there and see signs of spring.

Spring plants are just starting to pop up after a harsh winter.

Virginia Spring Beauty

Purple Cress

Some that stay visible all winter include the Sharp-lobed Hepatica.

There is lots of it at Reid, but I have never found Round-lobed!

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In the history corner, the little passenger vessel Omar D. Conger (built 1887) blew up at its dock in Port Huron around this date in 1922 due to a boiler explosion.  It was a frequent visitor to Wallaceburg, and seen in many photographs.  It was mainly a ferry between Sarnia and Port Huron.

Early December Views

 Tuesday was a fairly nice day so I went for a couple of walks locally.  My old hotspot of Brander Park has changed a bit, and not for the good.  The obsession of cleaning out ditches and drains continues.  The little creek through the woodlot has been dredged out.

It seems to me a lot of this is not necessary, further drying out the land and lowering the water table.  If only they knew how much wildlife they are killing off!  Oblivious to that no doubt.

Later, I went for a walk at Reid CA.  

Scene at the old rivercourse

One can look for long distances through the forest with all the vegetation died back.  Some trees stand out.

Not many birds of course, but there are lots of Dark-eyed Juncos kicking around this winter.

Wednesday I went up to Sarnia (did some shopping!).  A walk at Perch Creek was virtually birdless!  Some winters this is a good spot, but when one sees only six birds in an hour, that is not good.

I drove back roads heading back home, and stopped briefly at Moore WMA.  River was a bit high for some reason.

Mussels washed up included Mapleleaf.  One of the easiest ones to ID.

Usually this is an excellent place for birds in winter, but not this day.  It was very windy, as it has been all week.  Highlight was a tardy Ruby-crowned Kinglet in horrible lighting.

Thursday I went down to Rondeau for a  walk.  It was extremely windy, so birds were few and far between.  Just wanted to get there for a bit before the park is closed this weekend.

Drove some back roads on the way to Blenheim.  A large flock of Snow Buntings/Horned Larks/Lapland Longspurs was along Mull Road.  Not the best opportunity for photos out the car window!

Horned Lark

Today, I had little ambition and did not go far.  A walk near Wilkesport was somewhat productive, as a Common Raven was flying around, and croaking!

Common Ravens are somewhat regular anymore in Lambton, so not a big deal.

Also came across a couple of Long-eared Owls (trailside).  Sometimes one has to look hard for them, but these two were out in the open.

I noticed the one had a meal ready for later!  Might be a small muskrat?

Some Eastern Bluebirds were also flying around here.  Always nice to hear, but they were flyovers.

Also stopped by McKeough.  Probably Long--eared Owls around here too.  I used to get lots here quite regularly in winter.

McKeough Floodway

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For a historical note today, here is an airview looking to the east side of Wallaceburg in the early 1900's.  My house is within this area, near the top right.  It was once all farmland.  Over the years I have turned up things in the soil such as horseshoes, nails and other things.  Even an 1837 US penny!

Spring Approaches....

 Not that we had much of a winter, but there have been signs of spring the last few days.  Weather has improved from the almost sunless winter, and on some days it has been very balmy.  Owls are on the move this month, so may not be in their usual winter spots.  Some waterfowl, as well as Red-winged Blackbirds have arrived in the last few days.

Recent clear nights have been good for movement, as the moon shines bright.

My Long-eared Owl near Wilkesport is still hanging in, well-hidden its favourite tree.

I managed to get photos with a long lens as to not disturb it too much.  Apparently, too much disturbance by certain owl seekers, in certain locations, have created early departures.

Other holdouts include the Barred Owl at Shrewsbury, where it seems content for the time being.  Still being seen today!  

Eastern Bluebirds are few and far between this winter, but some are still around Wilkesport.  They never co-operate for photos....

Friday afternoon was quite balmy, and I found this yellowjacket at the back of the house.  Unfortunately, it is a European import, a German Yellowjacket.

Some waterfowl has arrived in the warm weather, as they usually do this time of year.  Spring migrant Tundra Swans were collecting south of Sombra yesterday.

As alluded to before, the St. Clair River has been a complete and utter disappointment this winter.  There are very few ducks and gulls.  The other day there was a raft of 300+ Redhead Ducks at Sombra, which was nice to observe.  The hybrid Ring-necked X Redhead was among them, but I was not in a position to photograph it.  Glad to know it came back for another winter vacation.

As mentioned previously, a probable Barrow's Goldeneye was at Corunna.  On Friday I spotted a possible candidate, but then decided it was likely a hybrid.  Too distant to be sure though.  Then, the next day, a local birder was fairly certain there was a Barrow's Goldeneye. Still a bit distant, so it remains to be 100% confirmed!

Long-tailed Ducks are the most numerous this winter.  Thousands can be on the St. Clair River, where thirty years ago, they were a rarity!

Today was a stellar weather day, so I headed down to Rondeau Park.  I really needed a long walk more than anything, so headed out marsh trail to Long Pond.  A 10 km round trip.

There were not many birds, but some Red-winged Blackbirds were setting up territories already.

A few Northern Pintail were certainly spring migrants, as they flew over Long Pond.

There are still some extensive drifts on the trail left from the Christmas storm. It will still take some time before they disappear!  One can only imagine what it was like during the storm!

Feeders have been a bit quiet this week.  Too many accipiters around!

Warmer weather is on the way, so we will certainly see some more spring migrants in the coming weeks.  What will this year bring?