Rondeau Songs/Pelee Beaver Tails

It was a fairly good weekend for birding despite the usual crappy weekend weather.  On Saturday I checked out Rondeau Park where there was Song Sparrow galore.  About this time of year, the first big push of Song Sparrows occurs, but I am not sure if I have seen this many at once.  I saw well over 300.

Lots of juncos and American Tree Sparrows had come in as well.

The Song Sparrows were everywhere, and certainly there had to be close to 1000 in the park alone.
Along south point trail, I saw a good number of Eastern Phoebes for the first time this year.

Several Tree Swallows were moving along the lake.  Also a Common Loon or two was sighted.
Some Fox Sparrows and Eastern Towhees were new arrivals as well.

I only saw one Horned Grebe at Rondeau!

A check of Ridgetown Sewage Lagoons was later, but it was too late to see the swans.  Earlier, a Trumpeter Swan was among many Tundras.  I met John Lamey there and he indicated that a Trumpeter was present earlier in the day.

Bluebird at Rondeau

Today, Sunday, I headed down to Point Pelee knowing there would likely be a good movement of birds.  As I walked to the Tip, a fat rodent caught my eye.  It was a beaver!

It was there several hours, so I am not sure if something was wrong with it.

Upon arrival at the Tip, it was evident that Horned Grebes and Common Loons were on the move.

I estimated around 120 Horned Grebes while I was there.  Some were swimming while others were on the move.  At one point I thought I had an Eared Grebe, and I am still not certain that it was not one.

Horny Grebe

Common Loons numbered at least two dozen, all heading east.  One was swimming off the west side for some time though.

Lots of ducks (mainly scaup) were off the west side out of the east wind.  Some Surf and White-winged Scoters were among them.

Greater Scaup

There were blackbirds, Tree Swallows, American Robins and meadowlarks on the move.

I met up with Jeremy Bensette and we walked around for a bit talking about bird related stuff!

The park had very few sparrows, as compared to Rondeau the previous day.

Around noon, I headed over to Hillman Marsh shorebird cell.  I was there quite some time as there was lots of waterfowl. I had hopes of seeing some early shorebirds, and eventually some Dunlin came into view.  At first I had 13, but before I left, the number rose to 17.
I was more expecting Pectoral Sandpipers, some early Dunlin can be expected this time of year.

Green-winged Teal was the dominant duck, and I counted over 700!  There was probably a Eurasian Teal among them, but I was not going to try and pick it out!

Eventually I spotted two Greater White-fronted Geese in the distance.  Not surprising really.

Some Horned Grebes were in the cell as well, and one came in quite close.

After over an hour there, it was pouring rain, so it was time to leave.

On the way home, at least 3 Snowy Owls were still seen from Winter Line, between Mallard and Marsh.  They have been there most of the winter.

Things will be happening quickly from now on!

More Welcome Signs: Towhees, Tundras and Grebes

I decided on Rondeau this morning and it was nice to see more birds.  Enough snow has melted to do some serious walking.  I checked out part of south point trail for the first time since early January.
On the way through the park it was evident that Song Sparrows had arrived en masse.  They were  everywhere and in bunches as they often are this time of year.

Along south point trail, I found a male Eastern Towhee which was a fresh spring migrant.  I heard one singing at the VC as I drove by so I knew this one was different.

At the VC, one towhee was at the feeder while another was singing in the background.

I should have walked down the road from there, as a friend had an Eastern Phoebe and an American Woodcock.  I knew the woodcocks would be around, but I did not scare one up today!

I walked the campground as well and came across yet another towhee.  Too bad it was the wrong kind.  One with green in its name would be nice, but I would settle with one that had more spots.

Over at Erieau, the field near McGeachy Pond were loaded with puddle ducks and lots of diving ducks too!  There was actually an incredible number of Canvasback, Redhead and Ring-necked Ducks in the field to the north.

The Bay is still mostly frozen except for a patch out in the middle and a bit right at Erieau.  As well, there is a lot of solid ice yet on the lake, so the ducks are going where they can.

The fields had all kinds of puddle ducks including Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler.  I tried hard for an Eurasian Wigeon, but to no avail.  I guess I do not have the eye for them!

The channel and a small bit into the Bay are now open with lots of ducks there.  A large number of scaup were at the NW corner. No duck with a tuft though.  I notice quite a few Gadwall here, but very few wigeon.

Needless to say, Tundra Swans were everywhere today.

I was home by early afternoon, but had to head out to Sombra later to finalize things for a presentation I am doing at the museum.  I left a bit early to check for ducks and grebes on the St. Clair River.  I was alerted to three Red-necked Grebes at Cathcart park yesterday.  I found those, but a fourth was along to the north end of the park.  These may have been around for a while, but it is difficult to say.  Two Horned Grebes were present as well.

Sunday Birding

Snowy South Point

After yesterday's weather nonsense, I was anxious to get out today.  The roads were terrible and the gale force winds were still going, but I headed out.  The sun eventually came out for a fairly nice, but cold day.
Still WAY too much snow to do much walking around Rondeau.  There is certainly more down there than up here.

White-throated Sparrow and Red-bellied Woodpecker at VC feeders

Song Sparrows were everywhere--obviously they came in the last day or so.  As did Robins, and blackbirds.  Several Song Sparrows were at the VC feeders.  Some even singing.

A female Eastern Towhee briefly showed as well, but remained hidden most of the time....

Eastern Towhee tailend!

Lots of birds were near the gas plant. I was hoping to see some waxwings, but not yet.  Just Robins feeding on Sumac.

At Erieau, there were lots of ducks.  Even the first Horned Grebe was swimming around with them. (It is in this photo!)

Several American Coots were there, and the White-winged Scoter from last weekend was there, but elusive.

Still not much throughout the countryside, but things will get better each week.  I still have one Common Redpoll here at the feeder which seems to show first thing, then at dusk.