Rondeau Campout and a "Lifer" in the Mix

 The past four nights I camped at Rondeau (place of choice for this time of year) as I usually do this time of year.  At least it cuts down on travel time in the car!  I never took many photographs though, but always had the camera on hand.

The weather was reasonably good with sunny days, except Thursday which was cloudy, cool and windy.  A bit of rain late in the afternoon dampened things.  Most rain, which was little, came at night.

Birding was generally slow for the most part, and there were not as many birds as I had hoped.  However, it is what it is and one makes the best of it!

Monday morning we started early on south point trail.  Some new birds had come in.  Highlight was an immature Little Gull flying by the washout.

I saw my first Prothonotary Warbler of the year on Tulip Tree trail.  It afforded close-up views!  (Hence a new header photo for this blog!).

Although a female, it was nice to see.

I ended up with 94 species for the day in the park.

Later in the afternoon, I took a jaunt over to Keith McLean C. L.  Highlight was a Willet, but probably not Willie the Willet.

In the evening, conditions were excellent to walk out marsh trail (ended up with 50 species).  I found it a bit quiet, but added Least Bittern (6) for the year's list.  Some Sora were calling, but no Virginia Rails were heard.

As usual, hundreds of swallows were heading back to the marsh to roost a dusk.  Difficult to count, but most seemed to be Bank.

I stayed out till dark, but oddly, no Whip-poor-wills were heard at the north end.  Are more to come?

Tuesday I was up bright and early.  I counted eight Whip-poor-wills along Lakeshore Road down to south point trail.  It ended up being a quiet day, although some new birds had come in.  The only new bird for the year was Gray-cheeked Thrush.

Plants are doing their thing.  One of the more abundant forest floor plants is Canada Mayflower.  Not quite in bloom though.

Maidenhair Fern

As I was crawling in the tent for the night, a Black-crowned Night-Heron flew over, calling incessantly.  Other birders in the campground noted it as well, as shown on their eBird lists!

Wednesday was a good day, where I surpassed 100 species in the park.  Added for the year were only two, including Eastern Wood Peewee and Wilson's Warbler.

More White-crowned Sparrows had come in. One would think a Harris's Sparrow might pop in with them!

Later in the afternoon, I walked south point east trail.  Not many birds, but for amusement I looked at some reptilian creatures!

Five-lined Skink

Dekay's Brown Snake

Also some leps.

Eastern-tailed Blue

Spicebush Swallowtail

While out there, word came in that a Ferruginous Hawk was found at Port Crewe by Brandon Holden.  It caused a flurry of activity by birders, as expected.  I really had no ambition to chase after it, so stayed in the park!

Thursday was a gloomy day.  With the traditional east winds for this time of year, the east side of the park was not desirable.  Steve and I walked south point west trail.  Once we got to the beach, we decided to keep going out south beach!

Shorebirds included Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Semipalmated Plover and Sanderling.  Later in the month is better for shorebirds out there.

A lone Long-tailed Duck kept going up on the beach.  It looked Ok and seemed to fly well, but we wondered about it.

On our way back, word came in that the Ferruginous Hawk was found again, closer to Port Alma.  With few birds in the park and nothing else to do, I took a run for it.

It was well out in the field when I arrived, but scope views afforded satisfaction.  For all it is worth, here is a photo!

Needless to say, it was a 'lifer' for many, or at least an Ontario 'lifer' for others.

On the way back, I checked out Erieau marsh trail, which was somewhat birdy.

I walked Tulip Tree trail upon returning to the park.  It was quite birdy, with numerous warblers.  Included was a pair of Prothonotary Warblers.  This time, the male was point blank in front of me.  Unfortunately, I did not bring the camera along!

A late Winter Wren was singing, but in the past they have nested in the park as I recall.

Later in the afternoon we had light rain, so not much happened.

Today, Friday, was another sunny day.  We started at south point trail where a few new birds had come in.  However, not many.  There were lots of Cape May and Chestnut-sided Warblers.

I later walked Harrison Trail south from Bennett to the old group campground.  It was actually quite pleasant with lots of birds.  While in group camp, word came out that a Swallow-tailed Kite had made an appearance over pony barn!

It was not far away from me, but I never saw it.  There is an open area in group camp where I watched the sky for some time, but it never passed my location.

Later it was briefly seen at dog beach, but several of us never did see it despite standing vigil there for some time  afterwards.

The bird must have been moving quickly, as it (presumably) was seen in west Chatham-Kent not long after.  I have yet to catch up with one in Chatham-Kent.  Been close a couple of times!

Generally speaking, there are lots of birds yet to come.  Most flycatchers have yet to arrive for example. This coming week should give us lots to look at, although the weather may be something to be desired.

Will be spending more time at my place of choice next week.

And So It Begins...Finally

 We finally received more acceptable weather starting yesterday, May 5.  It was obvious that an influx of migrants would appear, and we were not disappointed.  Many overdue species were added to our annual lists.

Back on Thursday May 4, it was still cool, but better than it had been.  I checked out Rondeau Park, Erieau Marsh trail, McGeachy Pond trail and Blenheim lagoons (2X!).

Blanding's Turtle at Erieau

A decent flock of Long-billed Dowitchers had been frequenting the lagoons, but they were hit and miss.  They would disappear to parts unknown for a while, then return.  I missed them earlier in the day, as well as later in the day!  However, on my second visit, I did manage to see three of them.

Friday was more normal in a sense for this time of year.  Many warblers, sparrows, orioles, etc. had dropped in.  I checked out south point east at first light, then moved up to the start of marsh trail to observe the "morning flight".  A good number of warblers and other birds were exiting the park as they typically do with an easterly component to the wind.  It is actually a fun experience to observe this, but you have to be quick on ID!

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

I missed an Evening Grosbeak that stopped by at the VC feeder, and perhaps the same individual later in Bate's subdivision.  I decided to leave the park just after 1:00 when the grosbeak was seen again!  Hopefully another will make an appearance for me!

Later in the morning, a pair of Willets was resting on the east beach.

Today, I decided to stay local.  Just as well since probably nothing new awaited me at Rondeau. It is nice to check out things around home at this time of year.

Baltimore Oriole at my feeder

First thing, I stopped by Brander Park, Port Lambton.  A few things came in, but not as much as I had expected.  A Great-crested Flycatcher was a FOY there.

It was such a nice day, I went up to Reid CA.  I spent the better part of three hours there!  A good number of birds had dropped in.  I ended up with nine species of warblers, and some were in multiples.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Blue-headed Vireo

Most things were in the "Lilly Bush", so I spent almost two hours there.  While chasing the warblers, I heard some croaks to the north.  I thought it had to be  Raven, and soon I saw it being chased by four American Crows.  It never came close.

Ravens are rather regular in Lambton anymore, especially in the north part, and are not considered "rare" on eBird.

The most notable warbler was a Bay-breasted.  They typically show up a bit later in migration, so this one was exceptional.  Probably the earliest one I have seen, and perhaps the earliest for Lambton.  I was unable to get a photo, unfortunately.

Peers Wetland had a few things as well, including an Ovenbird and a couple of Black-and-white Warblers.

A Solitary Sandpiper was new for the year there, but eluded the camera.

This creature was lurking around:

Peers Prowler

Floodgate Opens and FOY Birds

 Tuesday April 27 looked good for an influx of spring migrants, and indeed it was!  The floodgates had finally opened after a somewhat slow spring.

I decided to delay a visit to Rondeau until today, April 28, as I had other things to do.  There was not much evident in my area, but some shorebirds did drop in.

Near the workplace, I have Roberta Stewart Wetland.  This spring we have a good mudflat, unlike a year ago.  Shorebirds have been taking advantage.  

I took a quick look in the morning and saw some shorebirds in the wetland.  One caught my eye as a phalarope.  Although Wilson's was most likely, that, it was not!  It turned out to be a Red-necked!  We do not see too many of these in spring migration.  Unfortunately, I did not have a camera on hand, and the cell phone was useless.

I heard reports of many birds, and some good ones throughout the day along Lake Erie.

Locally I stopped by Peers Wetland late in the afternoon.  A couple of Palm Warblers were present, including a "Yellow" (my third for the location!).  There was a regular Palm as well.

(Western) Palm Warbler

Today I headed down to Rondeau fairly early, but not early enough for nightjars such as Whip-poor-wills. Turns out I managed to see one in my travels today, as if flushed off the side of the trail!  

No need to get up early and get one for the year!

Anyway, I started on south point trail as we often do this time of year.  It was a decent morning with many first-of-year (FOY) birds.  Red-headed Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Sedge Wren, Blue-winged Warbler and Orchard Oriole were notables among other FOY birds.

Unco-operative White-eyed Vireo

I then walked Tulip Tree trail which was virtually dead!  I continued on up Harrison trail where I found a few birds, including three Black-and-White Warblers at the group campground.

Swainson's Thrushes were also seen.

I ended up walking all the way around back via Rondeau Road.  A bit of a mistake, as nothing was along Rondeau Road except a FOY Common Yellowthroat.

Yellow-rumped Warblers were few and far between today.

While on the walk, I heard about a Prairie Warbler near maintenance, so I headed up in that direction.  No such warbler on my visit (someone I know had one on their property yesterday in Lambton!), but we did have Black-throated Green and Blue-winged Warbler.

Highlight was another White-eyed Vireo which was on the move.

I decided to head out of the park and over to Hillman Marsh to take advantage of the shorebird arrivals.

Upon arrival, many American Avocets were visible.

Willet to left

My favourite shorebird!  I even saw one pair copulating, so that is good breeding evidence for Essex County (LOL!).

With them was a single Willet, better than none, but not as good as the ~100 seen yesterday.

Also present were about twenty American Golden Plovers, always nice to see.

It started raining so I went back to the car to wait it out.

I went back to find a few Avocets had left as well as all of the plovers.  No godwits were seen today as far as I know.  Hopefully more of those to come.

All in all, a decent day with about 20 FOY birds!

A Fall Trip-Provincial Park Visits

This past week I took my annual fall week off to head in a northerly direction.  I chose to check out a few provincial parks, all of which I have camped at before.
Sunday I pointed my car in the direction of Penetanguishene.  Awenda Provincial Park, established in 1975, is always one of my favourite stops.

The weather was pleasant on Sunday, so walking the trails was enjoyable.  However, I found there were fewer birds compared to previous visits.

Hermit Thrush

There was a stiff wind coming off the lake, so there was not much in the way of birds along the shoreline.

Giant's Tomb Island, Awenda P.P.

Around supper time, a Barred Owl starting calling.  It was earlier than usual, but I always see/hear them at this park.
At dusk, several birds were moving through the woods, such as thrushes and sparrows.

Monday was another pleasant day as I headed north towards Parry Sound.  After a short rest stop in Bobby Orr's hometown, I headed north to Killbear Provincial Park. It is sort of "out-of-the-way", but I have been here several times before.

View from Lookout Trail

Although it was a nice clear day, the wind was till blowing stiffly from the west.  Birding was rather slow again, but the scenery is always nice.

My campsite was near the shoreline, so I could not hear anything during the night due to the wind.  Just at sunset, the predicted clouds moved in for rain overnight and the next day.

There was a brief reprieve in the rain/drizzle the next morning that allowed me to walk Two Peaks Trail before I headed north on highway 400/69.

Scene along Two Peaks Trail (Monday)

It was drizzle all the way to the historic French River where I wanted to walk the trail to Recollet Falls.  I walked the trail anyway as most of the drizzle held off.  There were lots of birds along the trail to observe, at least.

My next stop was Grundy Lake Provincial Park, just a bit south of the French River.  The weather was drizzly all day, but stopped enough to allow me to walk the trails and look for birds.

Gut Lake

By late afternoon it was raining and it poured all night for one of the most miserable nights I have ever spent in a tent!  I did have a tarp, but it was so damp with condensation, everything was wet by morning.  I could not hear a thing due to the rain pounding on the tent.

Rock Scene showing glacial action, along Gut Lake Trail

By dawn Wednesday, the wind had switched, rain stopped and it was cooler much to my relief.  I was going to stay here two nights and spend part of a day up at Killarney, but due to the weather I got of out Dodge Grundy!

I decided to head back towards home, but spend the next night at Pinery Provincial Park.  It was actually quite enjoyable (especially after the previous night).  The weather was again nice and lots of birds were around.
Upon arrival, I went to the lake for a watch. The wind was pretty good, and there was some activity over the lake.  Things were distant, but I did spot a couple of jaegers.

After an hour, I walked a trail or two and found lots of warblers.

Bay-breasted Warbler

It was very windy overnight....again!  I could not hear a thing with the roar of the waves on the shoreline and the wind through the trees.

It was quite cool the next morning, but the wind was shifting.  I did watch the lake for an hour before hitting the trails.
The night was clear and it was obvious many birds had left overnight since I did not see that many.

On the way home, I stopped by Forest Lagoons, which had a good number of shorebirds. Highlight was a Willet, which I did not see at first, until it took a brief flight.

During the trip I saw other things such as wildflowers and insects.  This time of year the asters are out and there are many kinds which I can only guess at identifying.

Large-leaved Aster at Awenda

Swamp Aster at Killbear

Tri-colored (?) Bumble Bee at Killbear

Despite the Tuesday weather (which was bad all over--Wallaceburg came close to a tornado!), it was a decent trip for getting away.