November Notes and a Novelty!

 This past Tuesday I went down to Rondeau and area for some birding.  Turned out to be rather quiet everywhere!

Campground was first stop, then about a 2 km walk out marsh trail.  I only went out the two kilometres since it was so quiet for birds.

A stop at Keith McLean C. L. revealed the Western Cattle Egret.  I was not really looking for it, but it suddenly flushed up alongside one the new ponds!

I also checked out Erieau's marsh trail and McGeachy Pond.  I do not think I have ever seen that much beach alongside McGeachy pond dike.

Low water levels have certainly changed the scenery everywhere.

First thing Wednesday morning I went to Mitchell's Bay.  Nothing of note, but it was quite calm making for a nice morning to view the lake.

A few birds were along the trail, including some Cedar Waxwings.

Thursday, it was back to Rondeau!  It was dead calm and one could hear things a long way off.  I checked out the campground first thing.  It was a little better than the previous visit, but not by much!  Highlight, I guess, was a Redpoll flyover.

It was a good day to walk out the marsh trail.  I ended up with 52 species to the half way point, and there was enough to keep one quite interested.

Not far out, I encountered a group of birds.  Up popped a novelty in the form of a Warbling Vireo!  I was unable to get good photos (as usual...stupid camera).  I will provide them here anyway.

I soon lost sight of it.  At least I knew what it was, although not thinking that Warbling Vireo had been split into western and eastern species.

This was certainly record-late for the area, and one of only a few November records for the province.

This caused a bit of a stir in the birding world.  Recently, Warbling Vireo was split into Eastern and Western.  Given the time of year, there were thoughts this might be the western version.  Due to my poor photos and observations, I just assumed it was an Eastern (which turned out to be correct).

The difference between the two is subtle!  Some minor differences can be noted, and apparently the song is a good indicator.  However, they cannot be reliably separated by photos alone.  DNA certainly comes in handy in this case!  When one looks at good reliable photos of a Western, it is rather obvious.

Luckily, the next day, Josh Vandermeulen and Jude Szabo ventured out the marsh trail (to the very end) and were able to re-locate the vireo.  They obtained decent photos which were subsequently posted on the Ontario Discord, as well as eBird.  After some discussion, it was concluded that this bird was an Eastern Warbling Vireo.  A good find indeed.  Much appreciation goes to those guys for getting photos, which certainly put the issue to rest!

Anyway, I had a good walk to the half way point of marsh trail and back.  I encountered an Eastern Phoebe at one point. (another eastern bird!).

A Common Yellowthroat was not too unusual at this date, since some attempt to winter.

On the return walk, I found a Midland Painted Turtle.  It was alive, but not in good shape.  Not sure how I missed it on the way out.

Several Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillars were decorating the trail.

Friday was a nice day to head to Sarnia and check out Canatara Park.  Recently, a Yellow-throated Warbler was frequenting the area around the animal farm.  My usual luck prevailed, and it was not present! I put in a valiant effort looking though.

Canatara is a good spot for birds dropping in or flying over, along the lake.  I managed to spot two Evening Grosbeaks at one point.  About eight Redpolls flew over during my stay.  Virtually all in a westerly direction.

Today I checked out Mitchell's Bay first thing, but it was extremely quiet for birds.  I then spent the rest of the morning finishing up a long-overdue project at home.

After lunch, I went for a long walk at Reid C. L.  Although it was a cool day, there were still some grasshoppers around the back field! (no photos).

I looked at some mosses in the woods. Not sure of ID.

Another week in the bag....what will next week bring?

Birds in Eclipse Plumage (Day of the Total Solar Eclipse)

 Sorry, I had to think of a catchy title!

Today, I spent time birding in the Blenheim/Erieau area.  The park was booked to capacity with eclipse enthusiasts, so I could not get in there.  I would not want to be there anyway!

I started at first light checking out Keith McLean C. L.  We had rain overnight and the drizzle was just finishing when I arrived.  There was nothing really of note.

I then went over to Erieau and checked out the marsh (rail) trail.  The only thing of note were large numbers of Lapland Longspurs over the field.  We often get large numbers this time of year, and they often go un-noticed.

While in the area and with time to kill, I went over to McGeachy Pond, just a stone's throw away.  But this time, the sun had come out for a stellar day, much to the delight of eclipse watchers.

I walked the length of the trail, and on the way back I noticed quite a few birds on the move.  I ended up staying in one spot for about two hours!  There was just enough to keep up one's interest.  Steve Charbonneau soon joined me for the watch.

Lots of Lapland Longspurs were seen moving.  Difficult to say how many, but well over 200.  Some may have been circling the fields.

A number of first-of-year birds were tallied, including Caspian and Forster's Terns, Purple Martin, and Northern Rough-winged Swallow.

The vantage point had a good view to the north, plus the lake behind us.  A Marsh Wren was singing in front of us for most of the time.  Quite possibly a wintering bird there.  There was not much moving on the lake though.

After 2h 50m, I left.  But, just as I was leaving the parking lot, a Bank Swallow flew over.  Another FOY!

Here is a link to my list:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S167727102

There was time to kill before the eclipse, so I went to Sinclair's Bush.  Not many birds, but the location is known for plant life.

Then it was on to the Blenheim Lagoons.  I was at the lagoons yesterday, and there was the same mix of birds.  However, a large flock of Dunlin was flying east to the north.  About 60+ birds.  Another FOY sighting.

Although the lagoons would have been a good spot to view the eclipse (and there were a few people there doing so), I had the invitation to sit at the lakeside in Erie Beach.

I arrived in good time just as the moon was eating away at the sun.  Eventually it got darker and total eclipse happened!  Although I did not have the equipment to photograph the sun at totality, here are some cell phone photos.  It was one of the coolest events I ever witnessed!

Venus is visible to the lower right

It was interesting to see it get dark.  The breeze off the lake went down to nothing, and it became a little cooler.  A nearby American Robin acted as if it was dusk.

The hoardes of people along the lakeshore was mind-blowing.  Everyone in Erieau Beach was out in the their backyards to view the spectacle.  But, it was once in a lifetime event.  The last totality in our area was in 1924.  The next is scheduled for 2144!

In previous days, I walked out Rondeau's marsh trail for good exercise on Sunday.  Nothing of note birdwise.  The Eurasian Wigeon was still out on the Bay.  One of its American counterparts was close enough to photograph.

Saturday, it was another walk at Reid CA.  With the recent cool weather, plant life had still not changed much.  Mayapple is starting to pop up.

Other plants are peaking through. I think these leaves belong to Purple Cress.

I watched for Harbinger of Spring.  I carefully found a couple more colonies, bringing the total to nine.  Probably more around that I missed.  My photos did not turn out.  I hate cell phone photography!

Red Admirals came out that day,  I saw two in the yard.

I think the warmer weather is now here.

Take A Hike Day at Rondeau

It was down to Rondeau Park this morning under gloomy (as usual) skies.  Visibility was excellent though as we started with the obligatory lake watch at dog beach.
Not much was moving today.  A few Red-throated Loons and several Common Loons were seen among some Horned Grebes and ducks.  Bonaparte's Gulls numbered a paltry 3, not unusual for this fall.

On the trails, it was noticed that passerines had thinned out since last weekend as one would expect, but more sparrows were in.
My second visit into the campground revealed lots of Dark-eyed Juncos, and other sparrows mixed in.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet numbers had shrunk to less than ten this weekend.  As well, Black-capped Chickadees were reduced in numbers.

There were at least three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers roaming the campground.

On my second visit to the campground, a large number of birds were in the centre of the grounds.  Goes to show how quickly things change in that locale!
Highlight was a flock of six Evening Grosbeaks chattering away in one tree.  Lighting was horrible, so good photos were impossible.

Over 100 Cedar Waxwings were working finding berries in the cedars and other places.


I tried in vain to spot a Bohemian.  One would think at least one would be around!  There is still time.

Sparrows were numerous too in this area.  White-throated, Field, Chipping and Fox were mixed in with the juncos.

I even spotted a White-crowned munching down a grape.

After leaving the park, I went over to McGeachy Pond dike, another must-stop for this time of year.  One has to work hard to spot birds in the thick tangles along the dike.  Things are always changing!

I did find at least two Common Yellowthroats and a Blue-headed Vireo.  They were quite active and impossible to photograph in the thickets.

I did briefly see the ass-end of another yellowish warbler which had to remain unidentified.

More Cedar Waxwings were along the dike. It was two years ago had a Bohemian mixed in here, but no such thing yet this year.
One waxwing had orange tail tips, which we occasionally see.

After wearing out the dike, I moved on west and decided to head over to Wheatley Harbour.  The number of gulls there was overwhelming (several thousand!), but I could only spot three species.  Likely Lesser Black-backed was around, but I did not see one.  And, not a single bonie!  They have been relatively scarce this fall in our neck of the woods (lake?).

In another month, we will amidst Christmas Bird Counts.....

Rondeau Rounds and Some Late Birds

I did my usual rounds at Rondeau once again this weekend.  Saturday was brutally windy and rather cold, but a short lakewatch at dog beach started the day.  One could only stand there for so long!  The only shorebirds were four Sanderlings.  Gull activity was fairly good, but no rarities.....again.

I checked out south point trail afterwards.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets were plentiful for this late date.

A few Yellow-rumped Warblers were kicking around.  Lots of juncos and other sparrows were found.

Later, I went up to the campground.  The south end had quite a few birds to keep one busy.  Two tardy Blue-headed Vireos were working the trees.

Steve had seen a Nashville Warbler (not unusual at this date), but I could not find it.

I decided to go back to south point trail again as it was somewhat out of the wind.  A Blackpoll Warbler was notable on this round.  Lighting was horrible most of the day.

The only flycatcher type left, was a single Eastern Phoebe.

Quite a few Cedar Waxwings were kicking around during the day, but still no Bohemian.

For Sunday I thought of going other places, but it would take a longer drive.  I went back to Rondeau and it turned out to be a good day.  Several late birds were around.  Keith had seen a Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula and American Redstart (female type) during the day, as well as a White-eyed Vireo.  McArthur's had seen a male redstart at their pond as well.  The redstarts are record late by about a week.
I could only come up with Yellow-rumped Warblers despite trying.

Steve and I started the day at dog beach for a lakewatch under more comfortable conditions.  Lots of ducks were moving, especially Bufflehead.  Bufflehead seemed to be everywhere today!  There was a good variety of ducks seen.
Horned Grebes were in good numbers--I kept track and counted 44.  A few Common Loons and a single Red-throated Loon was observed.

We had a distant shorebird which remained unidentified.  It could have been a Purple Sandpiper for all we know!

I went on to south point trail by myself.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets were more plentiful this day.  There were actually all over the park.

An American Woodcock was in the same area as yesterday, but did not co-operate for any type of photo.

Juncos were numerous today, as they usually are this time of year.

The campground was on the agenda next, but it seemed quieter than yesterday.  I checked it twice.
At least three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were roaming around the campground (I saw a fourth near maintenance).  They are regular in winter in the campground!

Finch types were not all that plentiful this weekend. Although some Evening Grosbeaks were around, I could not come up with any.
A few Pine Siskins were around, as well as Purple Finches.
One wonders if we will see any crossbills.  There is a White-winged coming to a feeder up at Sarnia.  It is an ugly dark juvenile, not much to look at apparently!

Down Harrison trail, I spotted a Gray Catbird munching on some berries.

On a tip from Mike Cowlard, at beach access #1, I saw a Blue-headed Vireo.  It was there as soon as I got out of the car!

A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers was along Lakeshore Road.  Despite their grandeur and size, they are very elusive in late fall and winter!  It had been a long time since I had seen one.

After making rounds in the park, I headed over to McGeachy Pond and met up with Steve.  I did not anticipate spending much time there, but we spent more than 1.5h!  Living up to its name, this dike held some decent birds for this time of year.  A Wilson's Warbler was there on Friday, as seen by Jim Burk.
We had to work for them, looking into the tangles, but we came up with some decent finds.  Steve spotted a Black-and-white Warbler at one point.  Even though I was standing right beside him, I did not get a good enough look.  This warbler is most certainly record late by almost two weeks.

Near the viewing tower, we checked the area and a number of birds were in the lower area.  Almost simultaneously, I heard the chip notes of a Northern Waterthrush and a Common Yellowthroat.  Although I saw the waterthrush well, I could not get a photo.

We did get good looks at the Common Yellowthroat, a bird not unusual in this area in late fall.

I went back up on the dike to see if I could see the waterthrush.  As a consolation, I spotted an Orange-crowned Warbler!  These creatures are often difficult to photograph, especially at McGeachy.  Fuzzy photos are the norm!

After this round, it was time to head home.  It will be interesting to see what else turns up in the Rondeau area in the next few weeks.