Windy Wednesday

The wind has not let up in several days as wacky weather (lol) has returned.  Even some snow today!
Birding has been very slow and it seems that Sarnia is getting more warblers than Pelee and Rondeau combined!

I went out this evening to Mitchell's Bay. I knew it would be extremely windy out there, but I was interested in seeing what the birds were doing.  Obviously many were hunkered down or seeking shelter from the wind.  However, lots of bonies and terns were enjoying the wind on the lake.  Lots of scaup ducks were riding the waves.

I first checked the marsh at the end of Angler Line.  It was full of Gadwall!  Probably 125 birds plus wigeon, Mallard and teals.  Some Redhead were around as well.

The first part of  the lakeshore trail off Angler was somewhat sheltered from the wind.  In the lee of the wooded area, swallows (all the usual species) were taking shelter.  Some were sitting on the field.

On the way home I decided to check out Bear Creek Marsh.  It was interesting with a variety of birds. Near the end of the road, a strange white goose was hanging out with Canada's.

In the marsh, another white bird in the form of a lonely-looking Tundra Swan was swimming around.

Yet another white bird was a Great Egret. (Must be a Snowy Egret around somewhere...).

About 3 dozen Ring-necked Ducks were in the pond plus a few scaup and a Pied-billed Grebe.

I also heard a Virginia Rail grunting away in the marsh.

Things will settle down for the weekend I am sure......

Weekend Is Here!

young male Common Goldeneye

After a dreary and dismal week weatherwise, the sun came out this afternoon for a pleasant day.  This bizarre weather (this winter) was really getting to me yesterday as the week came to a close.
The interesting thing this week was the "spring" migration of waterfowl, particularly Northern Pintail.  It seems to be an annual event at some point, usually around New Year's when a sudden mild spell spurs ducks from farther south to head north.  Pintails always seem to lead the pack.
Although I was working all week, as usual, I read with interest the numerous and multiple reports of waterfowl scattered throughout southern Ontario.  Certainly over 500 Northern Pintail were reported, and no doubt others were stuffed in between.  Ring-necked Ducks were also in the mix.
Locally I noticed an increase in Mallards, and today after work in the 'nice' weather, there were some plus a couple of Gadwall.  Quite often there is an handful of Gadwall on the St. Clair River each winter, but previous to today I knew of none until I saw two today at Sombra.

two Gadwall

Generally this winter, rather few ducks have been on the St. Clair River.  Most are Redhead (considerably less than 1000) plus a mix of others.  Common Mergansers seem to be the next most numerous species--more than usual compared to an average winter.

After work today, I drove up the river to Sombra then through the back country before the sun set.  As mentioned above, the two Gadwall south of  Sombra were notable.                                              

evening Red-tailed Hawk

I saw several Red-tailed Hawks--it has been a good winter for them around here, and three Northern Harriers in one field.  Down the road from the Harriers, was a group of approximately 20 Tundra Swans in a corn field.  No doubt they were influenced by the warm weather this week, as only a few have been wintering on the big river.


Tomorrow I will likely go to Rondeau.  White-winged Crossbills have been reported regularly there.  There seems to be a good number around the province this winter, and sightings have increased this past week.

The nearby Mountain Bluebird was still being reported yesterday.  Many photos have surfaced and a few are on the OFO photo page.  The bird shows a little more blue than we normally see, and it has brought up some discussion locally.

Quiz Time:  Can you identify this?