Early Spring Sightings and Wanderings

 I have been wandering around much lately (maybe too much!) looking for whatever peaks my interest.  Migration has been rather light in the bird department this past week with the weather almost too nice.

Turtles certainly enjoyed the balmy weather as I saw dozens of Midland Painted and a few Blandings.  This Blandings was at a bad angle.

I took an evening walk at Mitchell's Bay south trail to see what was around.  Very quiet!  I did add a couple of first-of-year birds if nothing else.

A lone Sandhill Crane was feeding in the field.

Aimlessly wandering one day, I stopped by Mandaumin Woods nature reserve in Lambton County.  It is owned by Lambton Wildlife, and was saved for the plant life.  One does not go there to observe many birds (I remember Dennis Rupert saying once)!  I have driven by the place a hundred times, but this was the first time I went in!

Scene at Mandaumin Woods

I came across a couple of Eastern Commas, as well as Greater Bee Flies.

Peers Wetland has been very quiet (aka dead) this week for birds.  Only a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers there so far, and a few ducks.

Ruddy Ducks

I stumbled upon this baby Midland Painted Turtle at one point.

Yesterday (Saturday), I did the long marsh walk at Rondeau park out to Long Pond.  There is always potential out there, but not too much of note this day.  Sparrows are a good target.  Some Savannah Sparrows were along the trail.

The most notable bird was a plain-looking Northern Mockingbird.  Always nice to come across in any case.

In the afternoon, I could not resist another walk at Reid CA.  I looked at plants more than anything, but more are still to come up.  Of course, Trout Lilly is the most common which carpets the forest floor.  The odd white one, apparently a distinct species, can be found.

Here is the usual yellow form.

Purple Cress is blooming here and there.

Earlier in the week, I was still seeing some Harbinger of Spring.

Near the end of the walk, I noticed this little Dekay's Brown Snake.

I used to see Fox Snakes there regularly, and once I even came across a Milk Snake.

Thought this was amusing.  I saw this old pop can, which was in the same spot I saw it at least ten years ago, way back in the woods.

I had not been to Point Pelee in some time, so today was the day to go!  Birds were scarce (again) and I did not even see a Yellow-rumped Warbler!  However, my target bird was Louisiana Waterthrush, which can easily be missed in a year.

My first pass on Woodland trail was unsuccessful, but later it co-operated nicely.  It as quite distant, but these highly-cropped photos I was pleased with.

At the Tip, a couple of nice adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were resting.

I got lucky with a "bonus" for the day.  Kory Renaud came across 44 American Avocets at Hillman Marsh.  Since the species is my favourite shorebird, I had to go!  They were quite distant though.

This is fairly early for them, especially that number, but we will take it!

At Wheatley Harbour I stopped for a quick look.  This Iceland Gull was patrolling the shoreline.  It is a messy-looking individual, but seems to fit the bill.

Rondeau Surprise April 10

 Finally, something of note showed up today at Rondeau while I was there.  A Black Vulture!  I happened to bump into Ian Richards and his wife and he mentioned that a Black Vulture was on the beach.  I headed in that direction and sure enough it was in company with  four Turkey Vultures.

Some beach walkers came along so the vultures moved a bit down the beach and perched in a tree.

The Turkey Vultures eventually took off but the Black stuck around for some time.

As other birders arrived, it decided to take flight.  It was eventually found on Rondeau Road and perched there for a while for several local birders.

It was my first for the park....long overdue!

Things were still a bit slow, but birds are trickling in.  A Pine Warbler was found today.  Still very few Yellow-rumped!  The end of this coming week should be considerably better for variety.

More things like Brown Thrashers were in.

No sign of the White-winged Dove yet.  Should be here by now if it is coming this year.  However, it may not have survived, or it finally gave up!

I was at Rondeau yesterday as well, but found very little.  Just too quiet!  However it is nice to be out and thankfully parks are open during this shutdown.

Colt's-Foot at Rondeau (non-native plant)

This afternoon I went for a short stroll at McKeough CA in a spot not often walked.  This whole area had the white version of Trout Lilly.

Will be out tomorrow checking for things!