Earth Day Birding and Reid Plant Tour

 Today was one of the better weather days so far this spring.  I headed down to Rondeau Park, but it was rather quiet for birds.....again!  Yes, it is early, but one always expects more.

A couple of first-of-year birds included a Red-headed Woodpecker along Lakeshore Road, and a Blue-headed Vireo on south point trail.

Butterflies were enjoying the warmth.

American Painted-Lady

While in the park, I heard reports of Marbled Godwits, Willets and American Avocets at points farther west.  It was one of those days that those types of shorebirds show up in numbers!

I left the park and headed towards Erieau.  Spent some time at McGeachy and the marsh trail there.

A single Willet was reported on the tip of Rondeau, as seen from the Erieau pier area.  I managed to see that one, but it was too distant to even try for a photo.

American Avocets were reported at Hillman Marsh.  I had not intended to go that far today, but since the avocet is my favourite shorebird, I had to go!

I went straight to the Hillman shorebird cell where there were lots of shorebirds.  There were big numbers of Dunlin and Pectoral Sandpipers, but in the distance I picked out four dowitchers as well.

Long-billed Dowitchers are the default dowitcher species this time of year, so no confusion with Short-billed need arise.

No Avocets were present upon my arrival, but while there, eight popped in!  My target bird was then checked off.  The dowitchers were just a bonus, which are somewhat uncommon in spring.

Lighting was horrible, but I attempted photos anyway.

One of the continuing Cattle Egrets was present as well.

Two days ago, I started at Rondeau, but it was disappointing, so I went to Hillman to see two reported Cattle Egrets.

My camera malfunctioned (which is happening too often lately!), so photos were crap.

Often we do not get some until fall migration.

Yesterday morning I started at Mitchell's Bay.  Nothing of note in the way of birds, but I keep trying.  It was uncomfortably cold first thing.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

The afternoon was quite pleasant, so I went for a walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  I had not been there in two weeks, so I wanted to check out the plant life.

Harbinger of Spring is about done for another year, but I did find a couple of plants with remnants of flowers.

Nearby, I found the patch of Twinleaf, one of my favourite plants.  It was not very far advanced compared to previous years.

Lots of trout lilies are blooming, including the white version.

Large-flowered Bellwort is just coming into bloom.

Dutchman's Breeches is past its prime, but some were in bloom.

Note the ginger, which is abundant at Reid

I think I finally found its cousin, Squirrel Corn.  I know it is there, but it is extremely scarce.  It is yet to be confirmed (or rejected) for some strange reason.

Bloodroot is not all that common at Reid, but some were in bloom.

Trilliums are just coming into bloom.

I found one with the virus. The abnormal greening of plant parts (virescence) is a symptom of a plant disease caused by bacterial organisms called phytoplasmas.

Various insects were flying about.

Black and Yellow Nomad Bee (?)

Greater Bee Fly

Birds will really start arriving, possibly tomorrow!  Stay tuned.

The Past Week: New Arrivals

 We are now in the midst of the exciting time of year with migrants coming in (and some rarities!) and new growth.

Last Wednesday, I went down to Point Pelee.  Although a nice day, it was just my usual luck that it was very quiet for birds.  Some first-of-year birds included both waterthrushes on Woodland trail.

On the way home I stopped by the south trail at Mitchell's Bay as I often do.  Highlight was a White-eyed Vireo that was too busy to come close as it was feeding.

Forster's Terns were occupying the dock, a little upset that I came along.

A Green Heron (as seen on the header) was busy looking for food.

Many turtles, constituting four species were basking in the sun.

Blanding's

Map

A couple of very large Snapping Turtles were present.

The next day, I went for the long walk out Rondeau's marsh trail to Long Pond.  It was quite busy with birds on the way out with many Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers.

On the way back, they were all gone!  Goes to show that early morning is most active.

Lots of  "spring" Azures along the way.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk in the woods at Reid CA.

Many familiar spring plants were coming along.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Red Trillium

Saturday was winter-like with high winds and cold temperatures under cloudy skies.  I went on an outing to Skunk's Misery that was organized by Thames Talbot Land Trust.  Very quiet for birds!  However, another good social outing.

An Eastern Red-backed Salamander was noted under an old log at one point.

In the afternoon, I was bored enough that I went for a walk at McKeough CA.  I checked out the Twinleaf patch just out of curiosity!

Sunday was a fine day, and I went up to Sarnia's Canatara Park.  It was quite birdy along Lake Chipican, but mainly with only two species of warblers.  Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers were quite numerous.

I joined in an outing organized by the Breeding Bird Atlas.  It was a great social event!

First-of-year birds included Black-and-White Warbler, Chimney Swift, Broad-winged Hawk, Great-crested Flycatcher and Blue-headed Vireo for me.

Unco-operative Vireo

I did not miss anything, as birding was slow everywhere that day.

Today, it was down to Rondeau again on a nice day.  And yes, the winds had an easterly component!  Somewhat quiet for birds (again!), but It was good to be there.

A very bright Blue-winged Warbler was a new year bird.  It was very active, so I was not able to get a decent photo.

On the way home, I stopped by Blenheim lagoons.  The were lots of shorebirds, but virtually all Lesser Yellowlegs.  About 80 of them!  Long time since I have seen that many in one place.

Gulls were almost absent, but a few Bonaparte's were swimming around.

In the afternoon, I had to take advantage of the nice weather at Reid CA.  It was almost birdless, but I just wanted to go for a walk in the woods.

Large-leaved Bellwort

Spotted Geranium

Wood Anemone

Tomorrow may be good for birds with the change in weather!  We always hope.

Earth Day Tours

Early this morning I went out to Mitchell's Bay.  The wind was uncomfortable coming in off the lake, so not much was seen.  These continuous strong winds are annoying!  Can we ever have one full day without strong winds?  Also, we are getting into the time of year when the winds are predominantly out of the east.  Looking at the forecast, that will be the case the next week.  Annoying!

I wanted to look for more plants at Reid CA, so that is where I went next!  In particular, Twinleaf, one of my favourite, should be coming into bloom at this time.  I went to the only known spot on the property, and there it was.

It was not quite into bloom, but note the spider on the flower!

Others are just coming out.

Largeflower Bellwort

Early Blue Cohosh

Oak Sedge

This afternoon I went for a tour on private property along Booth Creek.  It stretches from McCallum Line all the way south to Burman Line.  An interesting property indeed.

Looking onto adjacent property

It was once a pasture in the distant past, so much of it is covered in hawthorns.  There is a mature forest at the south end, and some very large oaks along the creek.

Burr Oak

Lots of Black Walnut and Shagbark Hickory here.  Shellbark Hickory is present as well. This one is just a shaggy shagbark I think!

Booth Creek is not very large, but mussels are here.  I could only find one species, namely Giant Floater.

It is here at the road where Booth Creek crosses, that Mocha Emerald was first found for Canada.  It would be interesting to check this property out when the potential for several species occurs.

Interestingly, one exposed area shows some fossils.

brachipod

It was very quiet for birds, but we did hear Sandhill Crane in the distance.

Leps included only Eastern Comma and several species of moths.

Forage Looper Moth

Lots of Virginia Spring Beauty attracting insects.

Orange-legged Furrow Bee

I hope to get back to the property at different times to see what may be seen!

Yesterday I did not go far.  Saw my first Solitary Sandpiper of the year at Peers Wetland.

New birds for the year are slowly coming through.  This Chipping Sparrow found the suet in the backyard tasty.

Tomorrow looks like a decent day to look around......