Recent Encounters and Thanksgiving Birding

 

Autumn has certainly been in the air the last few days as I made my rounds this past week.  Many clear nights!  We had our first frost this past week.

The moon was still full at the beginning of the week.

A few clouds went by at one point.

Most of the warblers have gone through and Yellow-rumped are the dominant species now.

I have gone to Mitchell's Bay about every three days, and it has not been disappointing.  This Black-and-white Warbler posed briefly at one point.

One must sort through the blackbird flocks for anything of note.  I took a random binocular scan at one tree and spotted a Yellow-headed Blackbird!  Of all the blackbirds, I just got lucky in spotting this one.

Thursday morning I decided to check out Dow Wetlands south of Sarnia.  It is always good for sparrows this time of year, but I did not come up with anything of note.  It was interesting though.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Friday seemed like a good day to go to Point Pelee.  I have avoided the place since last spring!  Unusual for me, but that is how things have gone this year.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets were the most numerous species of passerines, especially on De Laurier trail.

One can see how dry it is.  Lots of mud everywhere!

There were very few butterflies, but I did not stay past noon when things warmed up.

Eastern Comma

Not many nectaring sources left, so fewer insects too.

Transverse-banded Flower Fly

I stopped by Hillman Marsh before heading home.  Hillman Creek is quite dry with lots of mud attracting shorebirds.  There were a few to look at.

A Bronze Copper caught my eye at one point along the trail.

Saturday I once again did the (south) trail at Mitchell's Bay.  

There were a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, but I did catch sight of an Orange-crowned.

Still holding out for some rarity here though!

The morning was too nice, so I continued on and walked Peers Wetland.  The moon was still quite visible well into the morning.  Not full anymore!

There were a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, but no other warbler types.  A couple of Blue-headed Vireos were working the trees at one point.

Continuing on, I went for a fairly lengthy walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  As usual, not many birds, but quite a few kinglets were throughout.

View at back field looking north

I walked along the river for a while then cut through the woods.  I noticed a lot of crayfish activity, but I never see the creatures!

This turkey feather stood out at one point.

And this patch of Pear-shaped Puffball fungus as well.

With the moderate east wind today, I thought it would be a good day to walk out Rondeau's marsh trail.  It was a bit cloudy to start, but then cleared up for a fine day.

I ended up walking all the way to Long Pond!  It was certainly tiring, but I guess I am not as young as I used to be....

It was a bit on the quiet side, but there were lots of sparrows, especially past the half way point.  Swamp Sparrows dominated the scene.

As expected, not many warblers, and most were Yellow-rumped.  I did see one Orange-crowned, a couple of Palms, and the best was a Northern Waterthrush at the half-way boardwalk.

I was not quick enough to photograph any birds (or did not try!), but later on a few insects were seen along the way.  

This late Tule Bluet was one of them.

There were very few flowering plants, but each one had something on it.  Some flowers even had four or five species of insects on them.

Not in focus, but this photo shows Oblique Streaktail, Perennial Mason Wasp and Eurasian Drone Fly.  The drone flies were quite numerous.

Here are closeups of the tiny insects. Difficult to focus on!

Eastern Calligrapher

Oblique Streaktail

Probably best was two or three Perennial Mason Wasps.  Considered endangered.

Butterflies included Viceroy, Monarch, Eastern Comma and Orange Sulphur.

That is it for this week!

Another Novelty and More Meanderings

 Since the cat is out of the bag so to speak, I can add to Friday's sightings.  Indeed it was a decent day for birding, but the highlight was the viewing of a Rufous Hummingbird near Watford.  I had gotten word of this hummer late Tuesday, but it was being kept under the radar for the time being.

The bird was first observed November 9 by the homeowner but species was undetermined.  A Lambton birder noticed the photo on Facebook (as often these things are revealed) and it looked good for something other than a Ruby-throated.  It was not until November 16 that a detailed look was had, and it was determined to be an adult female Rufous.

This time of year, any hummingbird is likely something rare.  This one really came down to Rufous or Allen's, with Rufous being the more-likely since Allen's has not yet been confirmed in Ontario.

Late Friday morning I arrived at the location, and within fifteen minutes I saw the bird.  Here are some photos:

Seems there is an influx of Rufous Hummingbirds this fall in Ontario!  Every birder who is interested or able should have seen one by now.  Who knows how many were, or are out there this year.

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Saturday it was down to Rondeau.  A stiff south wind was in the works, so we started at dog beach for a lakewatch.  Yet again, there was nothing much to note.  I still think a NE wind is best, but we have too many south winds anymore!

The campground has been interesting lately, and every day is different.  That is where we headed next.  Fox Sparrows are quite numerous right now and the camground has a few.  Some should stay into the winter.

The gnatcatcher is still in the same spot as last week!  (still there today as well).

The very north end seems to be the best, and birds were taking advantage of a puddle on the roadway.

The past week, Steve had a female Black-throated Blue Warbler at the north end, and today, Jim had the bizzare sighting of a Philadelphia Vireo!  One never knows what is lurking around the campground this time of year.  Hope something stays for the CBC next month.

Before we left the campground, I noticed some birds moving along the shoreline opposite the campground entrance.  We checked that out, and I spotted an Orange-crowned Warbler.  It was somewhat photogenic.

Today it was a toss-up, so I ended up at Point Pelee.  Would have been more productive if I headed north!  But, that is par for the course this year for me.

De Laurier was somewhat birdy.  I checked out Shuster trail as well.  Lots of Fox Sparrows at Pelee too.

I also wanted to check the Leamington Marina, as yesterday a California Gull made an appearance.  Unfortunately it did not show today, but could still be around.  Many gulls were out on the lake feeding this morning.

I have seen a California Gull at Pelee when I was lucky enough to see one land on the Tip 12 May 2015.

I checked out the Sage Thrasher spot on the way home, but it got rainy, as it usually does on Sunday. 

The thrasher has not been since November 18.  Perhaps it has moved on.

A number of birds were in one area along the trail, included lots of Cedar Waxwings.

 Tomorrow will be a nice sunny day now that the weekend is over!

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.