End of May Report: Some Long Walks and Tours

 This past Monday I took a long walk at Rondeau, going out the south beach.  It was not overly productive, but at least it was a calm day for a change.  I went out via the south point trail (west).

It was cloudy for the first part of the morning, but visibility was good.

Shorebirds are the main target this time of year.  There was not a huge number, but I did see a couple of Red Knots.  Dunlin were plentiful.

I was hoping to see Hudsonian Whimbrel, but for some reason they never show up on the days I am at Rondeau!

A lone Long-tailed Duck was sitting on the beach.  Looked the one I saw the previous week near dog beach!

There were not many ducks, but an odd duo included a Blue-winged Teal a nd a Redhead.

Along the trail, I noticed this Yellow Warbler nest.

During my travels in the park, I noted a multitude of Red-eyed Vireos. I counted a record-breaking 139, so just imagine how many were actually in the park.

Here are some scenes along Bennett Road. It is quite scenic this time of year, especially now the the birding rush has passed.

I also walked from maintenance to pony barn.  Along the way, a singing Connecticut Warbler was heard.  Seems we have done well with them this spring.  Some years we do not encounter any!

After leaving the park, I scooted over to Erieau to walk the trails there.  McGeachy Pond was good for birds, but I only did the west end.  My target was Olive-sided Flycatcher.

This Scarlet Tanager was showing nicely.  Not very scarlet-looking!

Next day I checked out the Lake St. Clair area, but it was not too productive.  But in the afternoon I decided to go for a walk at Reid C. L. I had not been there in some time, so wanted to see how things were doing. There was certainly a lack of insect life.  I think these cold weather days this month killed off a lot of things.

There were only about three species of butterflies.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Giant Swallowtail

I did see a dragonfly.

Springtime Darner

Wednesday I made a big tour.  I started at Skunk's Misery.  Sitler Woods and Dogwood Road is one of the best spots to start your day.

There was a multitude of singing birds, including a Cerulean Warbler.  I did a video recording, as well as a recording of the Cerulean Warbler..

Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers among others are here.

After finishing up in the Mosa Forest, I headed up to Pinery Provincial Park.  I do not get there much anymore, but this seemed to be a good opportunity.

I started on Riverside Trail, my favourite for birds, in the park.

Eastern Bluebird

Along the trail, I noticed this moth, which is a new one for me.

Cherry Scallop Shell Moth

A number of birds were here including a pair of Yellow-billed cuckoos putting on a show across the channel.

Olive-sided Flycatcher was here, which seems to be  ausual spot to find them.

An American Redstart was singing, but it was more like a Prothonotary Warbler.  Not quite identical to Prothonatary, but it was fooling some people.  Especially those relying on the Merlin app.

I also checked on the resident Prairie Warbler while there.

After having a nice morning in the park, I headed over to Ipperwash Beach. I found some Dusted Skippers, but not as many as one might usually find this time of year.  It was a rather cold day, so the cold no doubt had some bearing.

Very few dragonflies, but some included Lance-tipped Darner.

And, Common Baskettail.

On friday, I went back to Rondeau and walked out the marsh trail.  I had originally intended to go only to Long Pond, but once I got out there, I kept going.  It was too nice of a day.

Along the way, I kept flushing up a woodcock.

Marsh Wrens were quite numerous at Rondeau.  In fact the number trips the eBird filter by a longshot!

I walked all the way to the end.  By coincidence, I met Steve Charbonneau out there, who was on the south beach.  This was not the first time we have done this!  At least three times this has happened.

Another Scene farther out looking towards Erieau

There was not anything unusual encountered on this walk.

Later in the day at home, I was out tending to the garden, and noticed a small dragonfly.  I ran for my camera, and managed to get a photo of a Racket-tailed Emerald.  Although quite common, I missed them last year.  A nice one for the yard.

At dusk, I heard the buzzy call of a Common Nighthawk.  Not often I get them here in the spring, but they are showing up in good numbers everywhere this spring on their journey north.

At the same time, the local Merlin was on its "sunset perch", while an Eastern Screech-owl was calling nearby.

Things have certainly calmed down now, and only a few migrants are trickling through.  It was a quiet day so I just took it easy now that May is coming to an end.

Time to look sor insects!

Mid May Already: Things Are Finally Picking Up!

 Although there have been some good birds around, migration has certainly been behind what we have been used to in the last few years.  The weather has been unseasonably cold, but tomorrow the days will start to warm up.  In the last day or so, things have finally picked up.  

Tuesday I went to Rondeau on a sunny but cool day.  There was good activity around the Bennett and Harrison area.

Walking down Harrison with some birding friends, we encountered an active Summer Tanager.

Many birders were in the area and managed to get a glimpse of this handsome bird.

Seems there are good numbers of Summer Tanagers around this spring, unlike last year.  I completely missed the species last year!

Wednesday I was back to Rondeau bright and early.

I was up for a long walk.....all the way to the end of the marsh trail!  About a 14+ kilometre round-trip trek for those keeping track.

There was not a huge number of birds, and many that should be around already, were not present.

I only heard one bittern, that of an American, off in the distance.

It was a fine day for a walk.

The End!

A lone Trumpeter Swan was near the end.  Perhaps a female was on a nest somewhere?  We can only speculate at this point.

Noticed this odd tree near the trail.

A mink was hunting for breakfast at one point.

After that long walk, I drove around the park a bit, but did not encounter much.  So, it was westward bound!

I stopped by Wheatley Harbour to check the beach. All shorebirds were Ruddy Turnstones (save for one Dunlin).  Well over 100.

Hillman Marsh shorebird cell is a must stop at this time of year.  Things are constantly changing there.  I did not bring a camera in, but birds were a bit distant anyway.

I lucked out in spotting the adult Black-headed Gull at one point.  It had been hanging around the area for some time. Somewhat mis-named, the gull's hood is actually a very dark brown.

Also present were six Willets.  These large shorebirds are always a treat to observe.

On the way home, I stopped by the Zion Road bluff for a looksee.

Too bad I was not there there next day, as there were thousands of birds moving, including some good rarities!

Yesterday, I stayed fairly close to home. It was a windy, cloudy and very cold day anyway after early morning.  The temperature actually dropped during the day.

I did check out Port Lambton and Peers Wetland first thing, before going to a friend's place near Bridgen.

Magnolia Warbler

Late in the day, a hummingbird finally visited the nectar feeder, while a Swainson's Thrush scurried around the garden.

Today was volunteer day at the museum, but first-thing I did get some birding done at the south shore trail at Mitchell's Bay.  There were a few warblers present, but not like it should be.

Some other birds included:

Great-crested Flycatcher (not Ash-throated!)

Scarlet Tanager

Sparrow with a White Crown

At home this afternoon, I noticed a bright spot at the bird bath in the form of a male Scarlet Tanager.

The bird bath is well-used each day.  It has been around a long time, as it was my grandmother's back in the 1960's!

With warm weather setting in and southwest winds, this weekend should bring in the backlog of birds.  Birdcast radar looks awesome for Friday night!

some young birds are already out!