Sometimes It Works Out !

 Although I enjoy being outdoors as much as I can, birding or looking at other things, it is nice to see some decent birds along the way.  It is the thrill of the hunt that intrigues many birders.  One often goes to a particular location in the hope of seeing an interesting bird, or a rarity.

Today, I went back to Rondeau.  Weather was less than ideal with a strong east wind under cloudy skies.  And yes, the usual prevailing east wind for this time of year!

Although it is only May 1, there were not a lot of birds to keep up one's interest.  I decided to leave at one point and try my luck elsewhere.  Ten Willets were reported at Wheatley Harbour, so I headed in that direction.  Upon arrival, they were still there huddled up in the wind.

A couple of early Ruddy Turnstones were on the beach as well.  Here is one.

Since I was that far west, I decided to head into Point Pelee National Park.  I did not expect to see much, and birding was a bit slow.  However, there were some quality birds around, and that coupled with the meeting of old friends made the visit worthwhile.

I parked at White Pine, and walked in to the trails and down to Tilden Woods.  There were not many birds, but already this day, people had seen Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and early Magnolia Warbler and an early Wilson's Warbler.

The Cerulean was at ground level, feeding.  One of the brighter ones I have seen!

With some effort, I managed to see the warblers, but not the Chat.  As you know, chats are good at hiding even though they may be 'within reach'.

At least three Yellow-breasted Chats had been reported this day.  Another was on Redbud trail, so I headed in that direction.  After some waiting, the Chat was very briefly seen after making some characteristic chatters.

At this site, an early Cape May Warbler (male) and another White-eyed Vireo were nice to see.

I then headed back towards the VC, when a message came through that the "afternoon shift" (Richard Carr) had discovered a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the Tip.  I was not far from the tram, so I waited till it arrived and hopped on board with the mob.

Luckily, the long-tailed creature was still at the Tip catching insects!  I was not a position for a good photo, but who cares.

While there, a number of gulls were on the long Tip.  Someone spotted a Franklin's Gull among them!  Rather distant, but a nice bird for this time of year.

The gull was indeed a bonus!

It was then time to head home after a long day.  Ending up at Point Pelee today certainly worked out!

Earlier this week, Tuesday had looked like a promising day for birds.  There were lots of new birds and some rarities reported, but it did not pan out as most had expected.  The numbers just did not arrive.  I stayed fairly local, checking out Mitchell's Bay, Port Lambton and Peers Wetland.  It was not as productive as I had hoped.

Osprey at Peers

shy Black-and-white at Mitchell's bay

A Lark Sparrow was found at the north end of Rondeau Park, which later ended up at Keith McLean Conservation Lands.  This happened at least once before!  

I was not going to rush down for it though.

Wednesday I was at Rondeau first thing.  I wanted to get there early enough for Whip-poor-wills, but I slept in about 15 minutes too late!  Lots of time for them this month.

Although a nice day, there were not many birds.  Some first-of-year birds were added though.  I left the park before 08:30, if that tells you anything!

I then decided to check out McLean's in case the Lark Sparrow was still around.  I spent some time there, and eventually I spotted it!

first observance

It was nice that it stayed another day.  Actually it was still there today.

I moved on from there and went to the marsh trail at Erieau, and McGeachy Pond.  Some new birds included this Bobolink.

Bobolinks must have come in overnight as they were in multiple locations on Wednesday.

I then went to the Blenheim lagoons.  A large number of Lesser Yellowlegs was still present.  I counted over 120, which is the most I have seen at this location.

While walking I noticed some insects in the grasses.  Here is a Yellow-shouldered Drone Fly, which I do not think I had photographed before.

While in that neck of the county, I decided to try for the wacky Whimbrel near Erie Beach.  It had arrived a couple of days earlier, and in fact probably the same bird at the same location from last year!  It is incredibly early for a Whimbrel, but these things happen.  It was another bird that Jim Burk spotted for his "tractor" list.

Thanks to Jim for directing me up the laneway of the field to see this bird.  Unfortunately, there was a lot of heat haze this day and I could not focus.

The month of May is now here.........!!  (And I already have Whimbrel on my list!)

Finishing Out April: Some Nice Birds

 It was down to Rondeau again on Sunday where I added some more first-of-year birds.  However, the weather left something to be desired.  Lots of rain!  In fact, it was certainly more than the forecast called for.  

Later on, Steve and I started out on Spicebush trail and the floodgates (not the bird kind) opened up when we were less than half way around.  Needless to say, we headed home after that!

Solitary Sandpiper

Monday was a nicer day, and I was back to Rondeau to make up for lost time.  After walking Spicebush trail, I did the long walk down Rondeau Road along Gardiner and back up Harrison.  Not a lot of birds, but enough to keep one interested.  Some first-of-year were added.

Included were two Whip-poor-wills.  They happened to be trailside as I walked by, and they flushed.  The one did not go far, so I was able to get a photo.

While I was in group campground, an alert came out that a Summer Tanager was near Tulip Tree trail (TTT).  Since I completely missed that species last year, I HAD to go for it.

It took a while to get there, since I had to get back to the car and drive down that way.  It was soon found on TTT, alerted to us by its singing.  Unfortunately, I could not get on it with the camera, but we had good looks.

The only thing I could photograph there was this Pileated Woodpecker on the ground.

Next walk was down the west side of south point trail with Kevin.  Just a smattering of birds here and there, but lots of Wood Thrushes had come in.  

This one posed for us quite nicely.

Of course, the invasion of American Painted-Lady and Red Admiral continues.

At one point we encountered this small snapping turtle.

Lots of plants coming up, and for whatever reason, I photographed this Rattlesnake Fern.

Today, I intended not to go too far, but as fate had it, I did!  I started at the south shore nature trail at Mitchell's Bay, thinking there would be lots to see.  There was not.  The only new for the year was a Least Flycatcher.

The Snowy Egret that I found and reported on the 27th was still around.  I first saw it way off in the distance in a tree, as this little white dot in the photo shows.

It later came closer, but still not the best position.

After finishing the trail, I pondered what to do.  The Glossy Ibis was again seen near Hillman Marsh, so I decided to go for it.  While on the way, a Harris's Sparrow was reported within Point Pelee.  So, you guessed it, I ended up at Point Pelee too!

The ibis was in its place when I arrived, but a little distant.

It took flight at one point.

Ibis silhouette

I then checked out Hillman shorebird cell but nothing of note was there. It is always a crapshoot, but at least they finally drained some of the water.

Upon arrival at the VC in Point Pelee, I headed to the parking lot where the subject sparrow was being seen.  It was still there.

The rest of the morning was all walking.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are quite plentiful right now.  One wonders where they all go!

Lots of American Ladies and Red Admirals again.

And, Juvenal's Duskywings are having a good year in Pelee for whatever reason.  I counted eight on west beach trail between Dunes and NW Beach.

Quite a few Questionable Marks too.

Last highlight of the day were the 24 Willets on the beach at Wheatley Harbour.

Then it was time to head home, viewing flooded fields.  Down that way, there was a tremendous amount of rain....again!

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!"