Some River Runs and a Rondeau Ramble

 We are back in the mild stuff now, but even with the cold weather last week, little ice has accumulated on the St. Clair River.  Not like the old days!

The following photo, which I have shown before, was taken in mid winter off Port Lambton.  The rail ferry Sainte Marie was on its maiden voyage from Ohio.  It was launched 111 years ago yesterday (22 January 1913).  Photo was taken by Mabel Smith, Port Lambton's grocer of the day.

The many rail ferries on the lakes were known as good ice breakers.  Not often we see ice like that anymore!

I have not done much the last few days, but have checked out the St. Clair River from time to time.

There have been more ducks on the St. Clair River the last couple of days.  The Sombra waterfront was quite busy today with a variety of ducks.  

The trusty Northern Pintail has certainly found a home around the old ferry dock causeway this winter.

There were more mergansers, goldeneye and Redhead on the river today, or so it seemed.

Not many scaup are on the river this winter.  At Sombra, I found this Greater Scaup which appears to missing its lower mandible.  Looks like it is panting!

It looks much like the Redhead at Erieau last year which was in the same predicament.

A number of Tundra Swans are wintering on the river as usual.  We never used to see them in mid winter!

A few days ago when we had cold, crisp and clear weather, I ventured down Rondeau way.  I first checked out Stefina Line where we always find Wilson's Snipe in the unfrozen creek.  I could not see them from the car, but when I got out to take a closer look, they flushed from behind some shrubbery.  Up to four (unusual number) have been seen here of late.

This is a traditional wintering site for snipe.  I remember not long after starting birding, I saw one here on the Christmas Bird Count.

I then worked my way down to Rondeau Park.  It was too cold for much of a walk, so I mainly drove the roads.  Lots of Fox Sparrows were seen (as previously mentioned), as well as a couple of Hermit Thrushes.

There seems to be a number of Purple Finches around right now, as I saw a few.

Afterwards, I drove several back roads.  Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and Lapland Longspurs are giving a good showing this winter.  We have probably missed Smith's Longspur at some point!

One of these days, I would hope something would show up at the backyard feeders.  Mainly the same stuff everyday, but once in a while I see a Robin, extra goldfinches, or the odd Brown-headed Cowbird.

I doubt we will get any crossbills down this way, but there is a good cone crop just waiting! Native or non-native spruce.

January Birding at Rondeau Park

I headed down to Rondeau for the first time in over two weeks.  Birding was pretty good, but the usual dismal weather persisted.  Although the sun came out briefly at home late this afternoon, I guess sun on weekends is a thing of the past!


I started at the VC feeders where photography was virtually impossible with my equipment under gloomy skies.  A number of birds were coming to the feeder setup including some Purple Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds and 2 Fox Sparrows.  I saw only one of the Fox Sparrows first thing.


I then headed down to Dog Beach and met up with Jim Burk.  At the cars, a Common Loon flew over--decent for this time of year and needless to say a first for the year.
We then walked south point trail which was not bad as it was out of the relentless wind.  A couple more Purple Finches made a showing.
 An American Robin was on the trail, but there are lots everywhere this winter.

Just past the 'S' curve, we turned to look at a White-throated Sparrow, while an American Woodcock flushed on the other side of the trail.  Another decent January bird!  We never saw it, but farther down the trail we found these tracks. I believe they are from a woodcock.  Interestingly, I mentioned to Jim a bit earlier that it was a good day for woodcock--the feeling was in the air!

Another stop at the visitor centre saw more birds plus Steve Charbonneau.
Purple Finches kept coming in!  At least ten were there.

We saw the two Fox Sparrows, a few Red-winged Blackbirds and several other species.

Up Lakeshore Road, even more Purple Finches flew over while we were looking for the Eastern Towhee Steve saw the other day.

I walked down Harrison Trail past pony barn area and found a nice flock of birds, including a Hermit Thrush.  Yet another flock of Purple Finches was present at that location.

I met up with Jim Burk again and we walked the campground.  It has been unusually quiet this winter. Normally it is the best spot this time of year. While there, another flock of about 20 Purple Finches flew over.  We have to wonder where they all came from as there were none for some time. In fact, I think today I saw more Purple Finches than I have ever seen in one day at Rondeau.

We talked about redpolls which never materialized this winter in SW Ontario. There were a few flyovers in late November into December, but that was it.

On the way to Blenheim, I checked out Stefina Line and the ditch/creek where the mysterious Wilson's Snipe resides. I think it is only a weekday bird, as I can never find it.  Although I have seen one there in past winters, lately it is a no-show for me.  This little creek never freezes, even in the coldest winters, so it is a cozy spot for a snipe.
The only thing of interest was this kitten in the ditch beside the road.  It looked clean and healthy, so may have been left there.

Today I also checked out McGeachy Pond and Erieau's marsh trail.  Another robin and a couple of White-throated Sparrows were along the pond's dike.
The relentless wind kept birds to a minimum along the marsh trail.  Out on the ice I picked out a Herring X Great Black-backed Gull, which is likely the one that has been seen near the landfill.
Near the landfill, some gulls have been hanging out.  Today I saw a Glaucous Gull, FOY.  One can only hope for a Slaty-backed or something along that lines!

It was a decent day of birding, but only if that sun would appear for a change......

Finches on the Move

Autumn Scene at Reid CA

Yesterday I noticed a few Purple Finches in the yard. They are never common in the Wallaceburg area and NEVER stay. I have had them visiting the feeder and feeding on the trees in the yard, but they never stay more than one day.

This morning there were a few at Rondeau Park, and this afternoon there a number at Reid Conservation Area north of Wallaceburg.

At Rondeau this morning, lots of Pine Siskins were flying around, and when I got home this afternoon, there was a flock in the yard! Although I heard a few at Point Pelee last weekend, these are the first ones here.

Large numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and kinglets were at Rondeau today. The only other warblers were a single Blackpoll and a single Tennessee. White-throated Sparrows were in big numbers. We saw a single Fox Sparrow, finally. They seem to be late this fall.

At Reid CA, I came across the first Tree Sparrow.

white Orange Sulphur

The only butterflies today were the sulphurs, a couple of Painted Lady, and at Reid a worn Summer Azure. Some sulphurs were completely motionless due to the cold.

Summer Azure

Blenheim Lagoons held at least 150 Dunlin, some Yellowlegs, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers. Lots of ducks were around too.

Almost forgot to mention, Jim Burk and I saw the first Golden Eagle of the fall at Rondeau. Lots of Turkey Vultures were along the shoreline outside the park. No Black Vulture, but there were some yound TV's with black faces!