Mid-October Skies

 The last couple of days have been quite nice with clear skies.  I was out and about as usual to take advantage of the great October weather.  Today I visited some conservation areas north of Wallaceburg.  Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport is one of my favourite places for a walk, even if there are not many birds.  Today, several birds were flitting around.

View looking west

A couple of Black-capped Chickadees were quite curious about my presence.

Next stop was the McKeough Dam.  Some Purple Finches were flying over, but no other finch types seemed to be present. 

A Blue-headed Vireo was in the mix of passerines.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk through the woods at Reid C. L.  Many of the leaves had already fallen, so I missed some opportunities to photograph colours.

A few butterflies are still around, including Painted Lady.

I saw some type of darner at one point, but it flew off before I could ID it.  Autumn Meadowhawks are still around of course.

And, in the last day or so, Common Checkered-Skippers have shown up in my yard.

Yesterday I visited Keith McLean C. L.  A Yellow-billed Cuckoo showed nicely at one point just before I left.  It is getting late for them, but not unusual to get them at this date.  Seems it has been a good season for them, as many have been seen of late.

There have not been many good days for lake watches this season.  Saturday seemed promising, so I went up to Sarnia and spent over four hours there.  I was first to arrive!

The previous evening, a Sabine's Gull had been seen (not a good year for them in our area this year!) so I thought there would be a good chance it could still be around at first light.  I was right!  Too distant for a photo, but I was lucky to see it as it flew out onto the lake never to be seen again.  

Several birders were present for a lakewatch, but nothing of note showed up.  However, it was a good day for ducks, especially Northern Pintail.  Perhaps up to 400 were migrating through that morning.

A Short-eared owl did appear, as it migrated over the lake and landed near the lighthouse on the Michigan side.  We often see them come in over the lake this time of year!  Always a treat to see.

Some ships were upbound as well to keep up my interest..

John J. Boland

John D. Leitch

Last Thursday I needed a long walk so went out Rondeau's marsh trail.  As usual, nothing of note!  But I needed the exercise.

The following views of the shoreline are from the end of the boardwalk at the half way point.

And, during a visit to Rondeau last week, spring was in the air.....or so it seemed.  There was a lilac in bloom beside the pony barn.  I think they are supposed to bloom in early May!

Till next time....

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!