Some Lake Watching and Other Notes

 Not too much to report lately, but I have done some lake watching in different locations.  Seems the lakewatches have not produced as much as anticipated!

Friday, a late day visit to Mitchell's Bay was a bit windy.  It was clear though.  I could see the Detroit skyline quite well.

View towards St. Anne's Island

I had a close encounter with a Black-throated Blue Warbler.  A bit too close to fully focus!

On Saturday, I went up to Sarnia as the wind seemed fairly decent.  It started off with a bang when I spotted a Sabine's Gull just before it got very light.  No opportunity for a photo, but there it was.  I never saw it after that.  However, late in the day presumably the same bird made a close pass for viewers!

There were lots of duck and gulls, but the only notable was an early Iceland Gull.

The next day, a stiff north wind was blowing.  I chose Ipperwash Beach for a lakewatch.  It fell quite short of expectations.  There were lots of ducks, especially White-winged and Black Scoters, but nothing really of note.  I was joined by Bill Lindley and James Holdsworth, but after a few hours we concluded it fell short.

Monday, I stayed close to home on a drizzly day.  Lots of sparrows at Peers Wetland, but despite a valiant effort, nothing of note was seen.

Today, I went down to Rondeau.  Wind was not favourable for a good lakewatch, but we tried anyway.  It was comfortable for watching on a fairly calm lake.  Lots of ducks, especially Ruddy.  Horned Grebe numbers are building, but that was the only species of grebe seen.  And, just Common Loons were noted.

Passerine numbers were good in the park.  Dog beach parking lot was crawling with warblers and kinglets.  Of note, was a tardy Cape May Warbler.

There was Orange-crowned and Blackpoll, and scads of Yellow-rumped.

I walked south point trail which kept me busy for a while.  A lingering Red-eyed Vireo was working some dogwoods at one point.

Lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets around lately.

I stopped by Keith McLean Conservation Lands on the way back home.  It was quite busy with birds, and after 1.5h I was tired.  I would have liked to stay longer!

I managed to get three Nelson's Sparrows, and no doubt there were more there.

One, a bit distant, was scruffy and with little colour.  May possibly have been Le Conte's?  Wrrants further study, so will update.

Green-winged Teal numbers are impressive there.  I estimated around 585 on a quick count.

Turkey Vultures were migrating today, and during my visit well over 400 were seen to the north.

A few butterflies were out today as it was a bit warmer, including this Bronze Copper.

Nipissing Notes and Tiny Tales

 Last Sunday I headed out on my annual week off this time of year.  Algonquin Park, in Nipissing, was the main destination.  It had been two years since I was last up there, so it was time to visit again!  One cannot predict things in advance, but the weather left a little to be desired.  Weather forecasts are almost useless anymore anyway, so just go with the plan!

I left Wallaceburg at 04:33 and was in Algonquin about 10:20, including two stops!  Sunday, there is little traffic on the 400 series highways.  

As per tradition, I first stopped to walk the old railway bed off Arowhon Road.  Must have been a sign of things to come, as it was the quietest I have ever seen it.

photo from happier times

To kill time before the campground check-in, I stopped by Cache Lake boat launch area, then walked Two Rivers Trail near the Mew Lake campground.  I lucked into a good-sized flock of warblers and other birds near the end of that trail, which lightened the mood under gloomy skies.

After going into Mew Lake campground, I walked around the old airfield, my favourite place. It was overcast, and few birds were about, but at least I was there.  This spot always has so much potential for good birds.

After a supper, I again walked the old airfield.  I bumped into someone from Sarnia, namely Dave Bourne!  He was with his family for a few days up there.  I am sure he would not mind a mention.

Since rain was forecast, I put a tarp over the tent, and it was a good thing for overnight when it rained. 

The first full day, I usually walk Mizzy Lake trail, but the weather was not good, so I opted for smaller trails and stops.  I walked Spruce Bog Boardwalk at daybreak.  No Spruce Grouse, but what the heck, I will start walking it again.  Not far along, there they were, three of them!

I only carried the point-and-shoot camera due to the weather, so quality is poor in the poor light.

Next trail was Beaver Pond.  Nothing much of note there, before I decided to give the Logging Museum trail a shot.

Just out the car, I heard the familiar call of a Canada Jay, and sure enough, three of them alighted atop a tree.  Very poor lighting again, but here is a photo.

I then walked the trail as it is interesting to look at the displays.  

Near the end, I caught sight of an owl taking off.  Luckily it stopped, and there was a Barred Owl staring at me!

It was certainly a bonus bird not on my radar, at least to photograph.  I have heard them before in Algonquin.

Heading back west, it started pouring, so I sat it out for a while.

After an expensive lunch at Two Rivers Store (good grief, bring your own food!), I had plans to walk Bat Lake trail.  It looked like it would clear for a while, so I started out.  Nope!  I had to head back and wait out some more rain.

Looked like it would clear for a while, so I headed in again for the better part of 6 km.  Well along the trail, it started to come down in buckets.  I kept going anyway, getting soaked to the bone.  About one-third along, the sun finally came out for a nice afternoon!  A little late I must say.

View from the lookout

It was the trail where I last had Boreal Chickadee.  The Boreal in very difficult to find in Algonquin anymore, so it is highly sought-after.  In the past, I did not have much problem with them, finding them in many different locations.  It is said that climate change is a significant factor.

Nothing of note was seen, so after that, I went to take a shower to 'dry' off, lol.

Had a nice walk on the old airfield later on, and came across the only two butterflies of the trip there.

Clouded Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

I usually get American Copper, but could not find a single one this trip!

There were numerous dragonflies seen over the various walks, many being Black-tipped Darners.

The next day, Mizzy Lake trail was on the agenda, and I arrived there at first light.  It is a long, sometimes gruelling 11 km walk, so one has to be prepared.  It was overcast most of the way, but as soon as I got on the old railway bed, I saw more birds.  I had very nice flock of warblers, etc. at one point.  I even heard a Red Crossbill there in the distance.

Raven posing for a moment

West Rose Lake and Wolf Howl pond area was eerily quiet, but I did hear the familiar call of an Evening Grosbeak.  Soon, I saw it fly overhead!  It was another bonus bird that I did not really expect to see.

The trail was overall very quiet for birds, but you never know until you check it out.  I encountered a Ruffed Grouse in probably one of the darkest areas of the entire trail.  Although I put the ISO off the scale, the photo was not good.

By this time, it was near noon, so I headed to Two Rivers Store for an even more expensive lunch.  Oh well, better that someone else get me a good meal!  It was very good, but not on the wallet.

The afternoon, I walked Big Pines Trail.  I found a good number of warblers, etc. here.  The White Pines are impressive on this trail, hence the trail name.

At the back, is a good area to look for dragonflies in the summer, as I recall many years ago on a visit here.  Not this day though!

The rest of the afternoon and evening I took two walks on the old airfield.  Very quiet again, but it was a stellar evening.  

It could get no better with clear skies, and calm conditions.  I was praying for a rarity!  Last time I came up with record-early fall migrant Bohemian Waxwings, but this time, only American Robins as the sun set.

Wednesday, I headed out and for one last walk, I did Whiskey Rapids Trail.  It was horribly quiet.  In my early days, this was my favourite trail, and I had good luck with some of the specialties here, among other things.

It was a reminder of my youth, as this was a trail we walked in the old days.

(don't laugh!)

Just out of the park, I saw the only Moose of the trip, right in the middle of the road!  I was too lazy to get out the camera though.

Off the 400, I headed west through Gravenhurst, then stopped for a walk at Hardy Lake Provincial Park, as I often do.

It was then a beeline to Awenda Provincial Park north of Penetanguishene in Tiny Township.  Getting into the 'shene, the sky to the north was as dark as night.  I waited it out in a park as heavy rain fell.

After it cleared a bit, I went into the the park while the sun came out.  I stopped by Kettle Lake for a look.  One of the maintenance guys came along and he said he had never seen a storm like that here before.  High winds, hail and heavy rain!

The rest of the day was nice, but before sundown, it clouded over and wind came up.  It was terribly windy and a bit concerning at some points.

It was nice along the lakeside later in the afternoon though.

Giant's Tomb Island in the distance

The above is a display on the ship Reliever at the viewing stand.  This ship once sank in the St. Clair River!

I had the notion to head straight to Sarnia the next day, since a good north wind was forecast.  I got up early since the drive was the better part of six hours from there.  I had just got the tent packed, and down came the rain.....again!  So, just as well since it would be no fun at Awenda in the rain.

It poured to just north of Barrie and then the sun came out.  However, all the way to Sarnia, it was either rain or sun, off and on.  The fronts just kept coming!

I arrived at Sarnia after most of the action had occurred with Sabine's Gulls or jaegers unfortunately, but I did the best I could.  Luckily, I stayed a while and saw a Sabine's Gull!  I nice way to end a somewhat damp, whirlwind trip.

Next time, a report on the OFO conference at Point Pelee this past weekend!

Good Gull and Grosbeaks Around Rondeau

 Once again I spent the last couple of days birding in the Rondeau area.  There was not much in the way of photo opportunity though.

Each day we start with a lakewatch at dog beach.  However, the watches recently have not produced anything significant!

Lots of loons were moving Friday morning, and a good variety of ducks.

Black Duck

We checked out south point trail after the lakewatch, accompanied by Sean Macey from the Cambridge area.  Nothing unusal for this time of year was noted, but the unseasonably warm weather did not help!

We parted ways and I checked some other areas with no success.  Sean stayed in the park while I went over to McLean's.  While there, I got word that Sean had spotted a Sabine's Gull off the north end of the park.  I rushed over, but after considerable time looking, we did not find it.  By this time, the heat haze was terrible, so that did not help.  However, we agreed it was likely still out there.

Some gulls were collecting on the beach a bit farther east, but we did not pay much attention to them as they were all Ring-billed except one.  This was a case of live and learn, as the one we passed off as a Bonaparte's Gull.

However, Steve took a closer look and realized it was a Black-headed Gull!  A fine consolation prize to make up for not seeing the Sabine's.

The Black-headed is certainly a better bird overall, even though there are fewer Sabine's records for the area.  I have only seen one Sabine's at Rondeau, and two Black-headed in the Rondeau birding area.

"Locals" looking at the Black-headed Gull!

Sabine's has only been recorded about six times in the Rondeau area before.  Black-headed has been recorded at least seven times in the past.  All those from eBird records only.

The Sabine's was reported again this morning, so we were right in assuming it was still around.  Guess I should have stopped to look!

Today was a whole different ball game with the change in weather.  NW winds and a temperature drop changed things dramatically, just as we predicted.

Barely getting any sleep overnight, I headed down to Rondeau way too early and arrived in the dark!  At dog beach, I saw a Peregrine chase a woodcock off the lake.  I lost sight, but likely the woodcock became breakfast!

There was a good movement of ducks today, with numbers of Bufflehead increasing, and the some of the first Common Goldeneye being seen.

Steve joined me for the watch as we counted ducks and gulls and loons.  After the watch, I went to south point on my own and found many more sparrows and kinglets.  Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers, and three Blackpoll.  Birds seemed to be along the lake more than anything, with little in the woods.

At one point I heard Evening Grosbeaks flying overhead.  I counted at least 11.  This was right on time and expected with the change in weather.  Evening Grosbeaks were predicted to erupt into southern Ontario and beyond, and today they certainly did!  They were reported all over in good numbers.

(photo from the past)

I eventually heard a few others as well.

At one point, I saw a Merlin perched in a dead tree.  As I looked over the lake, I noticed a passerine coming in off the lake.  As I watched it, a Merlin suddenly appeared and grabbed it!  Kind of neat to see, but this happens all the time.

Merlin with breakfast

Steve was stationed at Craford Road east of Cedar Springs and Sleepy Hollow and reported some White-winged Crossbills passing through, as well as many other birds.  I headed there next for something different to do. It is a good spot to see migrants heading west along the lake.  We have been there many times before. 

I ended up spending several hours there!  There was an endless movement of passerines, hawks and other birds.  They were still coming when I decided to leave, as a Golden Eagle was coming into view.

There were 42 Evening Grosbeaks during my stay, but many more arrived after I left!  Purple Finches were in crazy numbers today as well.  Hopefully there will be some finches around by the Christmas counts, but likely most will have gone by.

Here is the list for my stay at Craford Cemetery:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S75355441

Certainly was an interesting couple of days!

East winds tomorrow, so no good for Rondeau....

Wild Weekend!

Erieau Pier

It was a pretty amazing weekend both for weather and birds.  I am not sure I have seen such sustained strong NE winds for several days in a row, but it made for some interesting scenery.  Shorelines were battered and some areas flooded.

Saturday, I got up early to do a lakewatch at Erieau, joining Steve Charbonneau, Mike Bouman, Deryl Nethercott first thing on the beach.  We found a fairly sheltered spot towards the westerly end of the public beach.  We were later joined by Garth Riley and his son Dan, as well as Allen Woodliffe.

For the most part, there was not a huge number of birds, but a very steady stream of them mostly going east.  Horned Grebes were in good numbers, with at least 250 going by or swimming in the 4+ hours we were there.

I was intent on seeing a Sabine's Gull for my Rondeau list. NOT!  It was seen later in the day, but I could not stay as I wanted to head over to Point Pelee area for the OFO convention.

Early on, we saw the first jaeger.  It turned out to be a decent day for jaegers, with about eight sightings.  (Difficult to say if a couple of those were repeats coming back).  However, Steve and I got a Rondeau list bird!  A Pomarine Jaeger came in towards the pier, and it was in fact the closest jaeger we saw.  Photos were useless!

We did see two definite Parasitic Jaegers.  This is all significant because in the 27+ years I have been birding Rondeau, I have only seen 3 jaegers (one unidentifiable was last week!).  They are very rare at Rondeau, but this year seems to be good.

Another good sighting was a flyby Willet heading east.  Certainly a different bird than Willie at the the lagoons.
Some birds were taking shelter where possible.

Steve and I checked a spot near Erie Beach later (where the one Sabine's was seen on Friday) and had another distant jaeger.

After the lakewatch I headed west over to Mersea Road 21 and road 2 where there was gull mania.  A Sabine's was seen there and at least 3 adult Little Gulls.

By this time weather was horrific with rain and high winds.  Must be the weekend!  I did not see the Sabine's at first, but persisted after most people left and finally saw it.
Birds were taking shelter in the fields.  Even Horned Grebes were in this field!

I wandered around a bit till 4 p.m., but spent a little time at the park near Pelee Wings.  What else to do?  There was quite a bit of action here actually.  After some time, some Horned Grebes drifted in close to shore.  I thought this would be good time for an Eared Grebe.  Not long after, I spotted one!
Mike Tate et al saw this bird a bit later after I put out the word.

Today, Sunday, I was a bit apprehensive since I was to lead a trip in Rondeau Park.  Sometime yesterday, I decided to change meeting place due to the weather and a couple other factors.

Marsh Trail was the best choice and a good choice it was.  We had lots of birds, including 14-15 species of warblers.  Some were getting late in migration such as Northern Waterthrush and Blackburnian. I only had the Canon G16 today.

Blackburnian

Some Indigo Buntings were seen, and probably the best bird was a Sora at the marsh tower.  I heard the bird on the walk out, then another couple actually saw the bird briefly.
Checklist from eBird:
OFO Rondeau Park

After lunch the tour went to Blenheim Lagoons.  Lots to see there as well.  A single Red-necked Phalarope started things off.  Lots of ducks too.  Among the many bonies was a Little Gull.
On the walk to the sprinklers, I had some luck with a brief sighting of a Nelson's Sparrow.  My initial look noted a short spiky tail, and luckily it alighted on some weeds for a brief look.

Over at the sprinklers, some shorebirds were in including 3 White-rumped and others.  At first we could not see in the back cell, but a closer look revealed 5 Long-billed Dowitchers and....Willie the Willet!  I assume it was the same bird that has been around a month.  Not sure why the place is so
appealing.

White-rumped Sandpiper with Killdeer

Greater Yellowlegs were also in the back cell to add to the day's species tally.
Checklist from eBird:
OFO Blenheim Lagoons

It was  a fun weekend in crappy weather.

marsh trail Rondeau