Jaeger Meister and Pelee Purple

I headed down to Point Pelee today as a good SW wind was blowing.  I had this planned a few days ago, but obviously should have been there yesterday!  Number of birds was a far cry from the day before, naturally.  This is about the third time I have missed Pacific Loon at Pelee by one day!  However....

It was an enjoyable day as the weather forecast was totally wrong.  The sun was out most of the day, but the very strong wind did not materialize (at least until well after I left).
As per usual I cannot sleep in, so I managed to be the first one at the Tip today.  I guess I should not mention that Violet-green Swallow I saw.... (just kidding!).  It was obvious that there would not be a huge movement of birds like the day before.  However, lots of ducks were moving keeping us busy.
There were many familiar birders at the Tip today, so things did not go unnoticed. Most waterbirds were moving down the east side where most eyes were directed, and very little on the west side.  However, at one point I casually looked to the west and saw a jaeger heading due south.  I yelled it out and all there got a look  at it as it came into view opposite the very Tip. Obviously it was a Parasitic Jaeger, but a jaeger is a jaeger in these parts!
Shortly after that, a Purple Sandpiper suddenly appeared on the very Tip.  It stayed there for all to view.  Not sure if the Afternoon Shift got it as he came later to set up shop.

Purple sandpiper to the left

Josh going for Purple!

Lots of American Pipits were moving today, as well as goldfinches.  Some sort of hummingbird whizzed by at one point.
Lots of scoters and Common Goldeneye today.

After a few hours, we headed north noting very few landbirds.  A stop at De Laurier revealed hundreds of Cedar Waxwings.  Yesterday Steve and Josh spotted a Bohemian, and it was still around today.  Steve got a glimpse of it as we started on Anders Footpath, but I saw it briefly farther down.

Some Cedar Waxwings

A nice flock of Eastern Bluebirds was at the homestead site.

On my way out I decided to go over to the old Northwest Beach parking lot on a chance that a butterfly would be seen.  Sure enough I managed to get an Orange Sulphur.  Probably the last butterfly I may see this year!

Orange Sulphur

Screech!

I checked Hillman on the way through and saw several Killdeer, a couple of Pecs and many Dunlin.  I saw one Long-eared Owl in the usual cedars beside Hillman Marsh.

Wheatley Harbour produced nothing of note. (was hoping for a Franklin's Gull--one was at Blenheim today and you will likely hear more about that later).

No Frankie!

Mitchell's Bay had no shorebirds again, but lots of bonies to sort through.  Those three big shorebirds are probably gonwits!

The Morning After....

Today I planned to go to Point Pelee (despite a rare bird report). Seems I go there every Saturday as southerly winds are forecast.
Yesterday, an Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen and photographed near the Tip, so I had hopes in seeing that. But, as usual, it was a one day wonder during the week. Another one missed!
I had left work early yesterday and saw the post on Ontbirds and I contemplated heading down there. It sounded a bit iffy, so I did not go. Just as well I guess.
The Ash-throated is a rather rare Ontario bird. Only about seven records to date.
Birding was on the quiet side today, unless you were counting Red-breasted Mergansers. Tens of thousands were passing the Tip. Well over 50,000 went by in the first few hours of the morning.
Not many other species of ducks were seen. Scaup, Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Long-tailed, and all three scoters.
Common Loons were migrating in good numbers. Perhaps close to 100 went by. One Red-throated Loon in the distance was a good sighting.
Quite a few Bonaparte's Gulls were moving early on, but no other small gull was to be seen.
Shorebirds included a couple of Dunlin and a Sanderling.
It seemed that I saw more birding friends than birds! (Hi Dorothy and Dianne!).
It was quite balmy and some butterflies were out. Orange Sulphur and Eastern Comma were at De Laurier. In the field across from the restaurant near Sturgeon Creek Clouded Sulphur, Cabbage White and Painted Lady were added to the list.
The Orange Sulphur depicted was seen at Northwest Beach.