Recent Findings During a Windy Week

 Although I have been quite busy with my mother's estate dealings recently, I have managed to get out each day.  It is a chance to get my mind off things!

The last number of days have been very windy. Seemed to be no end to the stiff winds!

Last Wednesday, I headed into Elgin County to look around, then stopped by a friend's place for lunch.

There was not much in the way of birds, but I checked out some familiar places.  Included was E. M. Warwick Conservation Area near Eagle.

Distant Bluff

It is a cozy little place with a trail in the gully to the beach.  Used to be a viewing tower there, but the eroding bluff took care of that years ago.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at Reid CA.  With the cooler weather this year compared to last, things are way behind.  Some Virginia Spring Beauty was trying to pop up.

Thursday it was a Rondeau visit.  Some early arrivals included Eastern Phoebe and Fox Sparrow.

A leftover from winter included a Yellow-rumped Warbler in the campground.

The Eurasian Wigeon was still present, but too distant for a photo (again).

Saturday, I went in the other direction and visited Point Pelee!  Little to note there, but Hillman Marsh had some early shorebirds including Pectoral Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs.  

Nearby, a pair of Sandhill Cranes was standing around.

Sunday it was back to Rondeau, but the only notable things was the continuing Eurasian Wigeon.

Monday, another walk at Reid CA revealed a croaking Common Raven passing through.  I was in the trees when I heard it, so ran out to the open to see it.  I was a bit late with camera!

I suspect it is nesting in the area, but I do not know where!

A visit there always included a search for river mussels.  Just the usuals this visit.

Mapleleaf

Deertoe

March 25 was my mother's birthday, so it was a bit of a sad day.  I had hoped she would make it to that date, but it was not to be.

In the morning, I went for a walk at Mitchell's Bay.  Some early Great Egrets had already arrived, and there were lots of ducks to look at on the Bay.

Red-breasted Merganser

In the evening, I was bored, so decided to head out to Stewart Wetland for a short walk.  On the way there along Langstaff Line, I encountered a Short-eared Owl!  It flew right over the car near hwy 40.  On the way back, it was still hunting the same area!  I had no camera....

Wednesday morning,  I took a walk at Reid CA.  A freshly-fallen tree had lots of Hypoxylon Canker on it.  Sounds scary!

In the afternoon, I worked my way up to Sarnia and eventually went to the Lambton Wildlife Meeting in the evening.  It was a wonderful presentation by Alastair MacKenzie of Pinery.

I stopped by Moore WMA for a bit.  The usual mussels were littered along the bank, but a less common one included Paper Pondshell.  Imperiled in Ontario.

After supper, I sat by the Bluewater Bridge, an iconic spot for generations.  French Fries and passing ships......some of the memories!

Here is a view at the same spot when I was very young!  My grandfather in front, and my oldest cousin Michael Abraham in the middle.  Not sure what I was holding....

Today was a rather nice day, but few birds.  However, I did go down to Rondeau to look around.  The standby Eurasian Wigeon was still on the Bay.  It was even farther out today, so yet again no chance for a photo!  Might be two out there.

This afternoon warmed up fairly well, so I went for another walk at Reid CA.  A long one!  Some Eastern Commas were flying.

Plant growth is quite retarded compared to last year, so little to see.  Although I did pick out some things just popping up.

Purple Cress

Sharp-lobed Hepatica

The Virginia Spring Beauty from a week ago looked no different!

Harbinger of Spring has not even shown yet, although, I wonder if this is it.

I looked for mussels again.  Many Mapleleaf as usual. Common here.

However, a Three-horn Wartyback was a stellar find.  First for here!  Critically imperiled in Ontario.

Some Common Garter Snakes were slithering around on the forest floor.

Good days ahead.........

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!

Mid January Jaunts

 With the recent cold and very windy weather, outdoor activities have been limited.  It was simply too cold to go for a long walk anywhere.

Feeder watching from home provided the main excitement, although just the usual birds were around.  Last year I had two White-throated Sparrows, but only one is hanging around this winter.

After the big blow, an American Tree Sparrow showed up for a day.  Not a usual visitor here, but for some reason one or two show up after a storm, then depart!

A couple of days ago, I decided to go to Rondeau Park.  It was still quite cold, so walking was limited.  I first checked the campground.  I came across the Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler at the north end.  It was quite active, and I was unable, once again, to get a decent photo.

There were lots of Fox Sparrows along Lakeshore Road, feeding in the roadside scrapes.  I counted at least 16.

Yesterday, I headed up to Sarnia for a change.  Things are getting more productive on the St. Clair River and at Sarnia with the more normal winter weather.

A Black-legged Kittiwake was found the day before off Canatara Park--an excellent January record.  I thought chances were slim for me to see it, but after some waiting, it showed off the lakewatch near the water plant!

It was quite distant though, but easily recognized.  It is one of very few January records in the area.  One was in Sarnia Bay December 2019, and just made it into January (I saw this one).  Another was off downtown Sarnia December 2010, and just into January 2011.  Indeed, the current bird was my latest sighting.

Also of note, was a large raft of Redhead ducks.  I really have no idea how many, but certainly over 5000.  There were some scaup mixed in, and perhaps something else, but it was 98% Redhead.

A Bald Eagle put them up a couple of times, creating quite a spectacle.  Note, the eagle in this photo:

Some would drift downstream then head back out.

Today, I did not do much, but we certainly got a lot more snow than what was forecast.  In the afternoon, I took a walk at Moore WMA.  Water levels were recently quite high, so there was ice under the snow.  I slipped and fell twice!  Some scenes:

We used to cross the river when the water is lower, but the large oak tree that fell and drifted down to the causeway, will make it impossible as seen in the above photos.

At one point, a Canadian Beaver swam downstream.

There were not many birds, although usually this is an excellent spot to find wintering birds, including Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Some American Tree Sparrows were working the weeds.

Staying indoors more the last few days, I took on a jigsaw puzzle.  It was a 1000-piece Sibley puzzle, but certainly the most difficult one I have ever done.  I was tempted to give up a couple of times, but true to my nature, I stuck it out.

No more Limpkin, as it was taken in by a rehabber a few days ago (not that I agree with that).  It would not have survived anyway with the recent weather.  Glad I went to see it when I did.  It was looking happy and healthy at that point.