Some Good Birding For Early January

 Last Friday I ventured down to Point Pelee.  It was was yet another very dark and gloomy day.

The long-staying Townsend's Solitaire was still at De Laurier, but not close enough for good views or photos.  It seemed a bit restless!

On Saturday, it was seen at the north end of west beach parking lot, so it is moving around quite a bit.  It may have worn out the De Laurier spot!

Ducks were not close off the Tip, but several hundred White-winged Scoters were far out.  Difficult to say how many, but I estimated I could see around 400.  The last few years, large numbers have hung around Point Pelee and area.

The Tip was very long.  Certainly the longest I have seen it in many years.

With no ice, many puddle ducks are hanging around.  More than two dozen Northern Shovelers were in Sanctuary Pond.

Trumpeter swans are a regular sight here.

I stopped by Hillman Marsh as well where a young Northern Shrike has been wintering.  It is usually around the boardwalk area, but I found it at the pumphouse beside the shorebird cell.

The gloomy weather continued through Sunday.  I joined the OFO field trip at Windsor, starting at Lakeview Marina Park.  Usually it is an excellent spot to view waterfowl in winter as there is always some open water here.  With no ice, there was no concentration of waterfowl, but we did get a nice variety of birds.  The fog and light snow did not help matters.

It is also a good spot to photograph waterfowl up close in the marina.

Four Wild Turkeys on the island's beach were nice to see there.

This OFO trip also takes in Little River Corridor park nearby.  The adjacent canal and pollution control plant usually attracts birds to the open water.  Wood Duck is almost a guarantee in area.  Not much was there though.

We found a large number of American Robins in the park.  Downy Woodpeckers were numerous as well.

On the last leg of the outing, we walked along the little creek which has extensive tangles.  A number of birds were here, and this is where I spotted a Northern Waterthrush!  It certainly picked a good spot to try and winter during this mild weather.

We lost it to sight for a bit, but then I spotted it again directly in front of me.  I managed some record photos, while most of the group got on it.

It was certainly an unexpected and pleasant find.  As well, it is apparently the first January record for Essex County, at least on eBird.

Northern Waterthrush has often been found late in the province.  My latest was one that Jim Burk and I found at Erieau on December 13, 2009.  I could not get a decent photo of that one though.

That bird stayed another week to be counted on the CBC.

On the way home yesterday, I stopped by St. Clair NWA and drove along Balmoral Line.  There was a plethora of waterfowl, especially geese.  Besides Canada, I saw Cackling, Snow and Greater White-fronted.  I probably missed Ross's!

Speaking of St. Clair NWA, the recent CBC ended up with 88 species.  Very good.  My contributions included the only American Wigeon (3) and Common Yellowthroat.

In other news, the Limpkin was re-found yesterday and is alive and well.  It has found a good supply of snails in a creek at the entrance of Wheatley Provincial Park.  The Limpkin specializes on snails, so perhaps it will do well.

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.

Rondeau Birding April 20

Headed into Rondeau Park early this morning with snow and ice on the car.  Very strong winds made for some cold birding!  However there were a few birds of interest.
I met up with Steve and Jim.  After walking TTT, we headed up the road from the VC and found the Yellow-throated Warbler. But wait!  I spotted a second one high in a tree.  The two milled about making their characteristic chip notes.  Looks like they are here to breed again!  At least one was seen at the VC garden as well.

Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were around too.  The Red-headed Woodpecker was in the neighbourhood today as well, but we did not see it.

Roadcock!

Our main walk was south point trail.  We walked the entire loop. It was difficult along the lake as severe erosion has taken place  Since the early 1970's, several hundred feet (width) of shoreline has disappeared, and this past week a big chunk is gone!
We noted a couple of Blue-headed Vireos among a few Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Other warblers included Black-throated Green and Pine.

Hermit Thrushes were plentiful throughout as were White-throated Sparrows.

Along Harrison Trail we noted an early Gray Catbird feeding on some berries.
Later, Jim and I walked spicebush trail and came across a waterthrush.  Expecting a Louisiana, it turned out to be a Northern!  Despite looking in all accessible spots in the park, we did not encounter a Louisiana.
Another strange thing is that we never found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.  Everyone else has them but Rondeau!

Winter Wrens were numerous

I stayed around and walked some other spots.  Along Tulip Tree Trail I had a brief encounter with a Wood Thrush. Somewhat early, but a couple others have been reported in the province.
I headed over to Erieau later and noted some Horned Grebes in the harbour.

Four Great Egrets were along the R/R track trail.  A couple of them seemed to be looking skyward, but nothing was above them!

Migrants and Mochas

A windy and somewhat cooler day made for some good birding today in the Rondeau area.  It seemed more fall-like with the north wind and birds were flocking up.
Starting on south point trail, the first bird of note was an early fall migrant Swainson's Thrush.  Yellow Warblers were in bunches with other birds mixed in.


It was a perfect day to walk out south beach.  Habitat is excellent out there for shorebirds or marshbirds.  Along the way I came across 3 Northern Waterthrushes as they nervously chipped away.

In the marsh were 6 Great Egrets lazily searching for something to eat.

Three Great Egrets

The only shorebirds were a couple of Sanderling and many Spotted Sandpipers.
Practically nothing was flying on the lake this morning.
On the way back the only notable migrant was a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

I briefly stopped at spicebush trail and heard an Acadian Flycatcher.  One wonders if they nested a second time.  I saw the original nest, but no bird nearby.

Red-spotted Purple on Buttonbush

Blenheim Lagoons had a good number of shorebirds including 9 Stilt Sandpipers, 9 Solitary Sandpipers, 3 Short-billed Dowitchers and a Semipalmated Plover among the common species.

Huge numbers of swallows were around there today.
By the way, I stopped at Ridgetown Lagoon first thing this morning and it was a bust.  Due the the heavy rains the past week or so, no mud was available for shorebirds.

After lunch, I went down to McGeachy Pond.  A number of butterflies were along the dike including a Fiery Skipper.

Common Ringlet--not so common at Erieau!

The R/R track trail was rather quiet, but a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was making its presence known.







It was mid afternoon by the time I got back home so decided to do a quick look at some creeks north of town.  I checked McCallum Line bridge and upon arrival a Mocha Emerald was flying around, but soon disappeared.  Nothing else, and in fact I saw very few dragonflies in my travels.

(borrowed photo)

I stopped at Moore WMA and it was rather dead, but up the road at the old oxbow I caught sight of a male Mocha Emerald patrolling.  Those green eyes really stand out!  I have never seen these things perched, so not a photograph to be had by me!
Lots of butterflies were along the roads, mainly Painted Lady and Question Mark.  In fact, there have been huge numbers of Common Painted-Lady recently.

Hummingbird Clearwing

Birding the Rain

Northern Waterthrush!

Quite a change from yesterday. Last night, looking at the forecast I could not believe what was predicted. It was so nice yesterday, but windy, cold and rainy today. One of the very rare occasions a weather forecast was correct!
I always say, the crappier the weather, the better the birding (usually). I birded with Jim Burk this morning and some decent birds (at least for the upcoming CBC) were seen.
We started at the maintenance yard in Rondeau Park. A couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers were there among other birds. In the campground were a couple more Yellow-rumps, creepers, nuthatches, chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, etc.
One Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was in the usual campsite. For some reason it likes this spot and I see it there almost every week. Last May, I camped at this site, and there was a sapsucker in the same tree all the time!
Jim and I parted ways for a bit. I came across a flock of about 50 Tree Sparrows along the east side of the campground, but did not see anything else with them.
Rounding the north corner of the campground, I noticed a few birds fly into a tree. One turned out to be the female Evening Grosbeak that has continued to elude me up until now. Jim has had it the last few weekends in the campground. Evening Grosbeaks are certainly very rare at Rondeau, and we don't get them every year.
After some driving around, I checked out the Erieau harbour. A couple of Cormorants are still around. Among the gulls, a first cycle Glaucous was out on the Bay ice eating something.
Jim then joined me along the RR track trail and we noted a couple of Common Yellowthroats, many Swamp Sparrows, a Winter Wren and what sounded like a Marsh Wren out in the cattails.
At the viewing platform, we heard a metallic chip several times. Jim remarked that it sounded like a Northern Watherthrush. We then saw it several times, although it was hard to see in the tangles.

Interestingly, for the Rondeau Birding Area, I have seen Northern Waterthrush on extreme dates. We had a record early one at Rondeau Park on April 12, 1998, now this late one.

Fox and White-throated Sparrows were along the trail as well.
Due to the weather, photography was almost impossible. As well, I could not get a clear shot of the waterthrush. We only saw bits and pieces of it!

Common Yellowthroat