A Western Visitor and A Kittygull

 Friday I ventured down to Rondeau way, and started with a lakewatch.  Nothing of note, but lots of Red-throated Loons appeared, as we now expect this time of year.  Numbers will likely build, and hopefully lots will be around for the Christmas Bird Count in two weeks.  Last year, we had a crazy record number!

"Land" birds are very scarce now, and a walk through the campground in the park and maintenance area revealed very little.

It was then over to Erieau to look for the "Western" Sandpiper.  On Thursday, Steve Charbonneau photographed a sandpiper which was obviously a Western.  Although almost a look-alike to the Semipalmated, Western is expected or default species this time of year.

The "peep" we saw there a week ago was undoubtedly the Western Sandpiper.  (We were too lazy to go back for a scope, lol).

The subject bird had been seen earlier in the morning, but disappeared over the edge for some time.  We were almost ready to give up after a long wait yesterday, but soon it appeared  with three Dunlin.

Others had better cameras than mine on site, so you can view those photos on eBird.

This is not the latest we have had around here.  I recall one in 2016 at Blenheim lagoons.  It stayed for several weeks well into December, till freeze-up!  One can see ice on its feet in one of my photos.

Lots of this species have been recorded over the years around the Rondeau birding area.

There were four species of shorebirds at Erieau's Marsh trail yesterday.  At least 25 Killdeer, 3 Dunlin, and 3 Wilson's Snipe!

Today, weather was the pits first thing (yep, it is the weekend!).  I went up to Sarnia for a lakewatch, which seemed to be the best thing to do in the rain.  My goal was to see a Black-legged Kittiwake. 

One these kitties seemed to be hanging around the last few days at the mouth of Lake Huron, but it was a longshot that I would see it.  Just after 08:30, I caught sight of it!  It quickly disappeared into the river, but there was no chance for a photo in the driving rain.  Mission accomplished.

A photo of one just over a year ago will have to suffice here:

There were two Iceland Gulls.  

The other bird of note was a Nelson's Gull (Herring X Glaucous).

From there I went up to Ipperwash for a brief lakewatch.  It was not productive for me!  And, landbirds were missing in action.

Some ships went to anchor on Lake Huron probably due to the wind.  I noticed the Mesabi Miner, Algoma Intrepid, an Algoma tanker and the Radcliffe Latimer.  The Latimer went upbound while I was watching the lake.

On A Lark (Sparrow)

 Things are finally picking up with nicer weather and more migrants.  In the grand scheme of things, birds are on schedule.  A few birds have been quite early! Some years in the past we get spoiled with nice weather and birds coming early.

Today was a fine day with warmer weather.  It started out rainy (what is a weekend without rain?), but soon cleared up.  I went to Rondeau Park.  I started at south point trail before it cleared up, as I wanted to go out marsh trail at some point.

Some loons (both kinds) and ducks were moving on the lake, but hardly any gulls.

Along the trail, a couple of House Wrens were FOY birds.

Steve and I went our separate ways, and I headed out marsh trail.  With an east wind, it is often the best choice.  It was quite nice, with only a light east wind.

I was going to walk at least to Long Pond, but that got cut short as you will find out later.  Along the way, I came across a FOY Yellow Warbler.  The first one is always nice to see, but eventually we will get sick of them!

Lots of kinglets (mainly Ruby's) were flitting about  along the way.

About a half kilometre past the 'half way' point I saw a Savannah Sparrow, then a Vesper Sparrow.  The Vesper was nice, but all of a sudden there was another sparrow with it.  It was different and I recognized it as a Lark Sparrow!

It kept moving along, but in an instant they were gone. I was not sure where they went, so started back as to not flush them any further.  Somehow the two had flew past me and were back on the trail to the north!  

I watched for some time, then they flushed.  The Lark Sparrow took a long flight out toward the Bay, then headed north.  I lost sight, thinking that was it.  However, I refound it on the trail north of the old parking area!

(photo by Steve Charbonneau)

By this time, Steve was well on his way out, so I kept following it along until he got there to see it.

The Lark Sparrow is one of the more handsome sparrows I think.  There are several records in the park, but only the third one I have seen within the park.

During this time, four Willets were found at Keith McLean C. L., so that was my next walk.

Tired, but not done for the day, I stopped by Blenheim lagoons.  Garry Sadler was there and informed me that a dowitcher was in the sprinkler cells.  I thought more likely a Long-billed a this date, but upon seeing it without a scope, I was not sure.  At one point, the birds flushed and disappeared.  I could not hear it call due to the wind.

Turned out to be a Short-billed Dowitcher!

Yesterday I went to Hillman Marsh and Point Pelee.  It was very quiet for birds.  Two Western Sandpipers were still at the shorebird cell.

one of them!

Getting back near the car, there was a brief sighting of an exceptionally early Yellow-billed Cuckoo!

I did quite a bit of walking in the National Park, but did not come up with much.

Pair of Trumpeter Swans at De Laurier

Surf Scoter

I did have a Hairy Woodpecker, which is uncommon in the park.

This past Tuesday I stopped by Roberta Stewart Wetland late in the day.  I took some random photos.  One was a Gadwall, or so I thought.  I was half right, as it turned out to be a Northern Pintail X Gadwall!  I did not realize it until I processed the photo at home.  My excuse is that the lighting was very poor.

I have had this uncommon hybrid here before, oddly enough.  Not the same bird though.

Sunday looks like there may be some good arrivals....only time will tell.

"Six more weeks of good birding!"

Another May Report: Lowlights and Highlights

 Really not much to say as this stupid weather continues.  Today was probably the worst as I could not continue after noon....spent the rest of the afternoon thawing out!

Not the greatest photos this week, but when it is heavy overcast and you are shaking from the cold, it does not help.

Monday was no good, but Tuesday was not too bad for migrants.  The sun even came out.  I was out locally and found some nice migrants.

Wednesday I went down to Rondeau on another cloudy day.  Some FOY birds included Eastern Wood Peewee, Willow flycatcher, Hooded and Cape May Warblers, as well as an American Redstart or two.

Palm Warblers were in huge numbers (80+), as well as Yellow-rumped Warblers.

best I could do!

Later, Steve and I walked the west trail of south point and at the lake I found a  nice male Cerulean Warbler.  I could not get on it very well with the camera as it was flitting about down low.

Thursday was useless for birding except a White-winged Dove was spotted SW of Wallaceburg.  I arrived on scene about 15 minutes after it was seen, but it was nowhere to be found!  It must still be there as there is good habitat.  It is a first for the Wallaceburg area.

Friday was not much better under yet another cloudy sky.  I went to Rondeau and walked out marsh trail to Long Pond.  It was a good choice as there was virtually nothing elsewhere in the park.  There was nothing special, but you never know until you look!  FOY were some Common Gallinules.  Several Sora were calling in the marsh.  In any case, I always enjoy the walk out marsh trail.

Gray-cheeked Thrush

That same duck from last fall was still patrolling Long Pond.

That walk took the better part of the morning, and by late morning the sun had come out much to our delight.  There was no point in spending any more time in an almost birdless park, so I took advantage of the time and headed over to Hillman Marsh.

A Western Sandpiper had been discovered the previous evening, and it was still present.  It did not take long to find it after I arrived.  It moved around constantly and never came too close.

very highly cropped

I had not seen a Western in some time, so it was nice to get this year.

Also present were two Long-billed Dowitchers, and various other shorebirds including countless Dunlin.

The two resident Trumpeter Swans were showing nicely.  They are getting a little rusty from hanging around so long!

Today it might as well have snowed for how cold it was.  Quite windy as well.  There was no point in going to Rondeau Park, so I checked out Erieau.  I walked McGeachy Pond dike, and then the rail trail.  A few birds of interest were along the trail, and at one point I kept hearing a Prairie Warbler singing.  It took quite a while to find the little shivering creature, but there it was, down low.

I also watched at the pier area for a while, but nothing of interest showed.

Next stop was Keith McLean C. L. but nothing new was there either.  By this time, I worked my way home and thawed out the rest of the day.

To the weather! 
(what species is this?)

Blenheim Blunders to River Rubyspots

It was another fine day as I headed down to Blenheim early this morning.  There was still a good selection of shorebirds, but nothing spectacular that I could find.  A nice-looking Baird's Sandpiper was near the start, but a bit out of range for the camera.

the one behind the yellowlegs!

One must examine the shorebirds carefully, as last Sunday there was a Western Sandpiper present.  On my way out, I photographed a shorebird in the one corner which suspiciously looked like a Western.  I thought no more of it, and even posted the photo on my blog last Sunday in case anyone noticed.  I sort of expected a comment on it!


Garry Sadler got a nice photo of the bird, as shown on his eBird list of August 20.





More ducks had come in, including a large number of Blue-winged Teal.  The crazy Ring-necked Duck was still in the same spot.

I had not been down to Erieau all summer, so I first stopped at the rail trail.  A decent array of warblers was working the trees along the trail.  However, they were not easy to photograph.

Northern Waterthrush

Blackburnian Warbler

And some flycatcher...

Great-crested Flycatcher

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

I also walked McGeachy Pond dike where a few more warblers were seen.  There was also a Yellow-throated Vireo that eluded the lens. A chestnut-sided Warbler was co-operative though.

The tip of Rondeau at Erieau had lots of birds, but no Laughing or Franklin's that I could find! In due time.
A quick stop at Ridgetown revealed an odd-looking goose.

I wanted to check on the rubyspots at Thamesville again, so that was my last stop.  There were not as many American Rubyspots as last week, but more Smokey Rubyspots were along the steep riverbank of the Thames.

American Rubyspot

There was a unique-looking clubtail patrolling the edge, but of course never landed.  I wonder what it was....one can only speculate.

Mystery Tour - Sunday

Today I had no idea what to look for, so I started heading east.  I ended up at Skunk's Misery first thing.  The weather was great, with no wind.
I first checked the trail off Sassafras Road-one of my favourite stops.  Things were very quiet there as they were elsewhere in the Mosa Forest.  Looks like many of the breeding birds have already departed.  I did have a sighting of Owen Yates and Rob Palin along the trail! (I met them at the Wood Stork event last Sunday).
There was no sign of the White-eyed Vireo that previously frequented the trail.
Next stop was Wardsville Woods.  After a calm and clear night things were still quite damp.  However, a few butterflies were around.

Common Buckeye

Common Painted-Lady

Northern Crescent

Some Common Wood Nymphs were still hanging on.

My next stop was along the Thames River south of Thamesville to look for rubyspots.  This was one thing on the agenda today!  There were many American Rubyspots-most I have ever seen.

I think I did see a couple of Smokey Rubyspots, but it was impossible to get close to them due to the very steep bank.

Smokey Rubyspots can be highly variable, especially in the south.

Ridgetown Lagoons is not good for shorebirds this year, so after a quick look, I headed over to Blenheim.
There were fewer birds than yesterday, but still a good number and variety.  The Wilson's Phalarope may have departed to join its buddies, as it was not seen today.
Some shorebirds of today:

Shy Stilt Sandpiper

Yellowlegs of the Lesser Kind

This sandpiper behind the yellowlegs appears to be a Western!

I looked for insects as well.  I was happy to come across this Variegated Meadowhawk (female).  They are not often seen in these parts.

The other usual were seen such as Black Saddlebags, Halloween Pennant, Green Darner, etc.

On to yet another week......

Cardinal Flower at Wardsville Woods