Autumn Splendour

The day started out rather cloudy, but eventually the sun came out for a fine day of birding.  Yesterday I decided I would hit Rondeau Park on Saturday, as things were looking up for a large number of birds to be around.  I was not disappointed.
As I drove into Rondeau Park early this morning, hundreds of sparrows (mainly White-throated) and many Hermit Thrushes lined the roads.  As I started walking south point trail, birds greeted me right off, and they were all the way along.  I spent 4.5 hours on SPT alone if that tells you anything!  No rarities, but the sheer number of birds was nice to experience.

Needless to say, White-throated Sparrows were the most numerous and dozens of Dark-eyed Juncos were present as well.  I had all the usual sparrow types plus Vesper.  Even towhees were present in a respectable number.

Warblers totalled nine species.  I saw 2 Tennessee (getting late-Nov. 1 is the latest I think), 1 Black-throated Blue male, 1 Pine plus other expected species.  I had perhaps 9 Orange-crowned Warblers and just as many Nashvilles.






Three vireo species, including 1 Red-eyed (latest is 7 Nov last year), 1 Philadelphia (rather late-not sure latest date!), and perhaps 9 Blue-headed.

Red-eyed Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo that did not co-operate!









There were a few Purple Finches eating ash seeds, and a few Pine Siskins flying around.
At one point I heard an early Snow Bunting flying over.  I looked up and saw a flock of birds which were likely American Pipits as I heard them at the same time as well.
Also I briefly saw a Northern Mockingbird along the dune area of SPT.
Hawks were moving as were TV's (lots!).  At one point I saw a nice Red-shouldered and a rather light young Red-tailed.

Eastern Bluebirds were around--been quite a while since I have seen any.
And, Eastern Phoebes were plentiful--up to 15 on SPT?

Several Common Loons few over this morning but no Red-throated.  I have only seen 2 Reds ever at Rondeau!

Over at Blenheim Lagoon, a huge number of birds were present.  Right away I noticed a phalarope in lagoon 1, but it's bill told me it was a Red-necked.  Not sure of the late date for that one here.  A latish Barn Swallow was flying around with Tree Swallows.  Three Horned Grebes were in pond 3.

Over in the sprinkler cells, 22 shorebirds were warily feeding.  Included were a Long-billed Dowitcher, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 Pectoral, 2 Dunlin, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs and the rest being big yellowlegs.
Ruddy ducks have dominated the lagoons recently.  Perhaps 800 today?

A few butterflies were out including a couple of the rosa form of Buckeye at the lagoons.

Birds were quite skittish today and it was difficult to get any photos.

Sunday Odds and Sods

colour at dawn

It was a slow birding day, but things seem to pick up as time went on.  Jim Burk and I started on South Point Trail as usual.
The Red-eyed Vireo was still in the same area, but we also heard a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher.  The gnatcatcher was reported yesterday by Allen Woodliffe.  We also had a Blue-headed Vireo at the same spot, so we were still doing well with vireos.
Most of the birds were hanging out in this area due to dogwood berries.  They are fastly disappearing and will be gone in a few days.

"Hey!  Mind your own business!"

At Erieau, an Osprey is still hanging around the onion fields.
On the way out, I caught sight of a Cattle Egret at the horse pasture at the corner of Bisnett and Erieau Rd.  One was there back in early May.
At Blenheim Lagoons, the Wilson's Phalarope is still sticking it out in Pond 1.  Just before I was about to leave, 3 Long-billed Dowitchers flew over and circled back towards Pond 5.  I could not find them when I went back there, but a Harrier had spooked everything (I knew it would happen!).

Wilson's Phalarope

On the way home, I stopped at Mud Creek in Chatham to look at Canada Geese.  Recently, Cackling Geese have been seen there.  I managed to find one.  Probably others there as there were at least 300+ geese.

Cackler!

Saturday's Birding--Another Vireo

Much quieter this week!  Pine Siskins have increased in numbers though.  Lots were flying around Rondeau this morning, and many arrived here at home.

Pine Siskin

Two species of vireos today!  A Red-eyed was on south point trail.  I am sure it was there last weekend, but we just did not see it.  I also found the White-eyed again at McGeachy Pond, Erieau.  It looks quite attractive this time of year.

White-eyed Vireo

The Wilson's Phalarope was still at Blenheim Lagoons.  It will be interesting to see how long it stays.  Next week is supposed to be unseasonably mild.  In other words, TOO nice!

Fox Sparrows were quite numerous today.  They have finally showed up in numbers in the last week or so.

a Foxy Sparrow

Finally, dozens of Horned Grebes were on the lake.  Good time of year to find a Western--another species the Rondeau area has never recorded.

Tundra Swans--numbers increasing

Butterflies today included Eastern Comma (1-Erieau), Common Sulphur (2-Blenheim), Common Buckeye (1-Blenheim).

Not much opportunity for photography today......