New Year's Birding Along Lake St. Clair

Sunrise in Dover

It was a very windy start to 2015 with a westerly wind up to 50 km/h here.  That made for some uncomfortable birding along Lake St. Clair for the 35th St. Clair NWA CBC!  This count is a good way to start off the year as we often see some good birds in areas we normally do not have access.

This year I got into some territory that I had never been in before.  It was quite interesting and would have been more productive if it was not for that wind.  A couple of decent birds were tallied though.
At dawn, I saw 2 Snowy Owls along Winter Line between Marsh and Mallard Lines.  One was on a fence, but as I put up the camera, it took off!

Along Lake St. Clair there are several private marshes so access can be an issue this time of year. Our party got into one.  One of our first birds was Wild Turkey when we saw a group in a corn field with deer right alongside.  In fact, there were several White-tailed Deer, including this one watching us along a dike.

Just after this encounter, we came across a couple of Common Redpolls, the only ones recorded on the count.  It was uncertain how many were present, but it was another tick on the list.  There have been very few redpolls yet in our area, but maybe they will become more plentiful soon.
Farther down the same dike, we came across a good-sized flock of juncos/tree sparrows but nothing was with them.  Along a hedgerow, a pure flock of close to 15 White-crowned Sparrows came along.  Nice to see that especially this winter when very few sparrows are around.  These were the only ones on the count!

In another section of the property beside our only small woodlot consisting mostly of Trembling Aspen, I heard the characteristic sound of a Fox Sparrow.  I came back later and obtained good looks at the bird which not surprisingly was the only one on the count.  In the process, a Great Horned Owl flushed for another tick on the list.

On the return walk, a Merlin darted past us and perched briefly.  It has been a while since I have seen one, but a few stick around during winter.

Bald Eagles were plentiful, as we saw at least 15 in our area.  They nest in the area which obviously has something to do with the number.  At one point we saw about 12 out on the frozen lake.

Later, while driving some roads, I came across 3 Snowy Owls in one field.  These were known wintering birds though.

As always, it will be interesting to see the result of the count, including the number of Snowy Owls.

The Weekend

I did get out this weekend of course, but just like clockwork the weather was crappy.  Yesterday I went up to Arkona and Grand Bend area for a change and spent some time looking around with Pete Chapman.  Next Saturday is the Kettle Point Count, so got an idea what is not around!  Since it was pouring rain first thing in the morning, I knew it was Saturday.  We drove around a bit until it let up (never really did stop!) and saw a young Northern Shrike on a wire for a highlight. Later we took a walk into Joany's Woods which is a nice spot. Last week, Pete had a Barred Owl there, unprecedented for this area.  We did not find it and in fact had no owls for the day.  Highlight was a Merlin.  Light was too crappy for photos.
Pete showed me the field where the Variegated Fritillaries set up shop last summer.  They had about 40 on the count in June!  More than a month later, Pete had some fresh ones, so they must have bred there.
We headed up to Grand Bend area and checked out the ducks in the lagoons.  A few Northern Shovelers were present among others.  American Tree Sparrows working the weeds.

Farther north, we went to the spot where Maris Apse reported the Bohemian Waxwings.  None to be found, but we saw a Red Cedar "festooned" with berries!
Checked out Pinery too, but it was dead.  The usual feeder birds were at the VC.  While there we heard a Northern Flicker.

As we headed back to Pete's along various roads, little was seen. We saw a couple of American Kestrels, so we had two falcon species for the day.  Strangely, not a single hawk was seen!
As I was about to leave, a female White-winged Crossbill flew in.  A nice bird for ending the tour!

As I headed home, I saw a small flock of Snow Buntings near Watford, the only ones for the day.  With time left in the day, I decided to go straight to Ridgetown to see the Ross's Geese.  The three were still mixed in with the Canada's.

The Blue-winged Teal was still present, and apparently it was today (Sunday) as well.

Not a Ross's Goose! This bird has been present since summer

Today (Sunday) I birded the Rondeau area.  The park campground had the usual birds, chickadees, nuthatches, creepers and lots of Golden-crowned Kinglets (they are fairly abundant this winter). No warblers, but I know there are Yellow-rumped around. Hopefully a sapsucker will show for the count next Sunday!

Off the Rondeau dock, a good number of Hooded Mergansers was visible (~300), ~70 American Coots, and lots of Wigeon and Gadwall.
I walked Marsh Trail to the tower.  Several Swamp Sparrows were in the reeds.

At Erieau, a few bonies were in the marina.

A nice male Long-tailed Duck has been around, and it co-operated nicely in the dull light today.

A few Double-crested Cormorants were hanging on as well.

The R/R track trail had lots of birds at the start as it was out of the wind.  Five species of sparrow plus Carolina Wren, etc.  No sign of a warbler!  The Chestnut-sided Warbler that Steve found on Friday is quite remarkable.  Ontario's first winter record!

(not at Erieau)

By this time I met up with Steve and Jim and we headed to Craford and Sleepy Hollow.  Along the way, we looked at the juv Red-headed Woodpecker north of Erieau. It has been working hydro poles for a while!
A single Cedar Waxwing and a Hermit Thrush were highlights at Sleepy Hollow.  There is a huge crop of bittersweet around the old McKeough estate grounds.  Frankly, I have never seen so much!  Good for berry-eating birds.
Lots of sparrows present including Fox and White-throated.

Another Day at Rondeau

It was a toss-up where to go today.  One absolutely cannot rely on weather forecasts anymore.  It amazes me how often they change!  (and still are wrong).  So I went to Rondeau.

I arrived a bit too early.  Thrushes littered the road as they often do before dawn.
A Merlin was having an early breakfast.  Note legs of victim dangling!

 As expected there was only a fraction of the birds from yesterday.  Still lots to look at, but those Yellow-rumped Warblers stole the show again.  The only different warbler from yesterday was a Magnolia.  A few Black-throated Blues were around.

Countless Pine Siskins flying around today again.

Steve Charbonneau and I walked out south beach.  A fair number of birds to look at, especially sparrows.  No goodies though!  Finally saw a Fox Sparrow for the fall today.

Lots of mud to look at.  Here is the end of the marsh trail.  One could walk around the entire park if you felt ambitious!
While out there, a Snow Bunting flew over.  A meadowlark (presumably Eastern) was out there as well.



It was quite cold to start the morning, but warmed up later and some butterflies came out.

fresh Eastern Comma 

very fresh Painted Lady 

not so fresh Eastern Tailed-Blue 

I stopped at Ridgetown on the way home for a change.  A few Pectoral Sandpipers plus 2 Stilt Sandpipers were present for shorebirds.

Today's Winged Wonders

Wilson's Warbler (lots today)

At Point Pelee today, warblers and other birds were streaming by as I arrived.  The V. C. parking lot area had lots of birds first thing.  Nice to see that many.
I noticed a large number of Cape May Warblers today.  Several were milling about the Tip as I stood there.

Cape May Warbler (on of my favourites!)

Not much was moving first thing at the Tip, so I moved on and checked out west beach.
The day was dull, but some butterflies were still out.
Along west beach I found 4 Wild Indigo Duskywings, 3 Gray Hairstreaks, 1 Sachem and several Fiery Skippers among others.

Up at NW Beach parking lot, a White-M Hairstreak was right at the south end.  Once again, this one did not stick around!  Kevin McLaughlin had one there yesterday, so could be the same one.

All along the beach one had to look at warblers and vireos.  There were several Swainson's Thrushes today as well.

Merlins were numerous on this dull day.

I stopped at Blenheim on the way home.  Fewer birds today and nothing new.  Still a total of nine Red-necked Phalaropes.  Two stay separate in the sprinklers from the seven that move from pond 1 to pond 5.  It is difficult to keep track of those seven.  They are constantly on the move.

A Variegated Fritillary was of interest at the lagoons today.  Never stopped though!  Countless Fiery Skippers at the lagoons.

Birding at the Cove

The sun finally came out today for a very nice day.  I decided to check along the Lake St. Clair shoreline for a change.  First stop was the Jeannette's Creek lookout on the Thames.  Lots of gulls and ducks were visible downriver, as well as 12 Great Blue Herons!
I knew Lighthouse Cove would be good so I headed down there.  Thousands of birds to look at!  Mostly gulls of course.  The lake was mostly ice, but this time of year it can be good for birds, especially gulls.

I sat there for over an hour scoping the forever changing scenery.  For gulls, I think there were over 2000, most of which were Herring.  Scanning several times, I counted as many as 15 Glaucous, 3 Iceland, 1 Lesser Black-backed (first cycle), over 50 Great Black-backed.  No rarities, but I tried!

Three Double-crested Cormorants were sitting on a dead-head.  Various ducks included mostly Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, White-winged Scoter (2), Ring-necked (only one!), Redhead, Hooded Merganser, Black and Mallard.  There were a lot of freaky mallards here.  There have always been those here, but they have multiplied exponentially.  At least over 50 of various colour combinations!

freaky Mallards!

I saw only one American Coot, two Bald Eagles, and another Great Blue Heron.  I looked for Black-crowned Night-Heron, but to no avail.  I would not be surprised if one was around!

Graylag-type goose! (closest I could get to White-fronted)

There is an endless network of canals at Lighthouse Cove, and they were all frozen.  Gulls were all over these as well but I did not check those too carefully.  Most were Ring-billed.

While in the area, I checked Tilbury Lagoon.  It is opening up and geese and ducks were taking advantage.  Notable ducks included several Northern Pintail and American Wigeon.

I stopped at Jeannette's Creek again and got the Belted Kingfisher, a White-throated Sparrow and a Carolina Wren.

Also I stopped at St. Clair NWA and walked the entire centre dike--first time in years!  There is finally a new viewing tower, not quite as high as the old one, but it is very good.

Not much here except a few Red-winged Blackbirds, a couple of Common Grackles and a Swamp Sparrow.  A couple of Golden-crowned Kinglets as well.  In my early years, I came here quite often and was never disappointed.  Things have changed though as the marsh has closed in and Yellow-headed Blackbirds no longer breed.  My first real rarity was the two Tri-colored Herons that were here back in the late 1980's!

Yesterday I birded the Rondeau area in gloomy conditions (it was supposed to be all sun yesterday!!), and came up with a few birds.  The park was quiet, but while scoping the Bay at the ramp on my way out, some birds suddenly appeared.  Included were the five Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Carolina Wren and two Song Sparrows.  The sparrows could possibly be new arrivals.

Northeast of Blenheim at an old pasture, I managed to spot a roosting Short-eared Owl.  While there, a Northern Shrike flew over.  Further down the road, the bird of the day made an appearance-- a Merlin sitting in a corn field.  Just a while earlier, Steve called me to say that they saw a Merlin near Ridgetown.  I assume it to be a different bird due to distance, so two were in the area this day!  Everyone seems to have seen a Merlin or two this winter.  They are becoming more and more common each winter and is not unusual to see one at some point.

St. Clair River Birding

Stack on the Dock!

I made a run along the St. Clair River....a fair number of ducks and gulls along the way.  Most gulls were around Cathcart Park north of Sombra.  I saw at least five Glaucous there and another two off Lambton Generating Station.  I am sure there were more of those, but I did not see an Iceland.

Poor attempt at a Glaucous (what's with this dreary weather all month?)

While at LGS, I caught sight of a Red-necked Grebe with Redhead ducks.  The grebe is a rarity for the river, especially this time of year.  Steve Charbonneau also saw the grebe later, downriver along with a Double-crested Cormorant to boot!

Gull with fish!

I did not take the time to try and look at every single bird, but Steve also had an adult Thayer's and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.  The Lesser is likely the same one I had about a month ago since I don't think all those gulls left.
Sarnia had a number of gulls as well, but I only saw two Glaucous.
Long-tailed Ducks are scattered along the river.  Strange that previous to last winter, one would rarely see one on the river (south of Sarnia) during winter. It was something notable if you did!

Pair of Long-tailed 

On the way home, this little falcon was perched in a tree near the Sombra Sewage Lagoons.

Still have not seen a Redpoll, although a couple bunches of birds I have seen the last two days in the distance may, have been redpolls.

Sarnia shots:

These Mallards and Mallard types expect you to feed them!  There are several white ones at Sarnia.