Rondeau: Waterbirds to Warblers

It turned out to be a nice day at Rondeau Park today.  The usual routine revealed a good variety of birds. I met up with Steve Charbonneau at Dog Beach for a lakewatch to start the day.
Common Loons were on the move again today, with a tally of 101 in just over an hour.  Pacific Loon was on our minds, but once again it was a no-show!
A few different ducks included a large number of Bufflehead.  There were a few White-winged Scoters and a single Surf, as well as a single Long-tailed Duck.

As the sun started rising, we headed over to south point trail.  It was somewhat quiet until we were well-along the trail, where a good mixed flock of birds was milling about. It included two Nashville Warblers (somewhat expected this time of year) and quite a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Purple Finches seem to be in decent numbers right now.

A flock of Cedar Waxwings near the washout failed to contain a Bohemian.  Somehow I think we will see a Bohemian this fall or winter.  There are only about 4 records for Rondeau, strange as it may seem.

On the return walk, we again encountered the mixed flock.  Knowing we did not see all the birds previously, we turned up a Blackpoll Warbler.  As it is getting very late for it, I had a record late Blackpoll way back in 1997 (8 November), but that may have been exceeded.
We saw one of the Nashville Warblers quite well, but the camera did not.

At one point, we both got on a warbler with its back to us, and we knew it was something different. Turned out to be the Blackburnian Warbler!  Steve had it this past Wednesday in the same area.

This is the second latest record.  I already mentioned the latest (11 November 1965) in a previous post!

We walked the campground, but it was surprisingly quiet this day.

After Rondeau Park, we headed over to Erieau in hopes of finding that Northern Parula.  We gave it a good try, but no dice.  Irene Woods had the bird November 5, which constitutes a new record late date for the Rondeau birding area.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was still present though!  Somehow we think there are two there (I had the same thought last week), but the usual strong weekend wind did not help matters.  This one was laying low out of the wind.

A couple of Marsh Wrens were chipping in the reeds near the viewing platform. not unusual for there.
We had Cave Swallow on our mind, but that species never materialized after some looking.  Perhaps tomorrow.

Insects today included a Common Buckeye and Monarch at Rondeau, some Orange and Clouded Sulphurs at the lagoons and a Red Admiral at Erieau.  Dragonflies included Autumn Meadowhawk and Green Darner as expected.

This Katydid was on south point trail.

Rondeau & Area September 27

Rondeau Park was the destination first thing this morning.  As expected with this fine weather, not many birds were around.  However, there were things to look at here and there.
Today it was obvious kinglets have finally arrived in numbers.  Lots of Ruby-crowned were flitting about.  A few Golden-crowned were mixed in, the first for me this fall.






There not many warblers today, and certainly no large groups of passerines.  I came across this Northern Parula on south point trail.

Along the shoreline, this young Red-headed Woodpecker surveyed the situation atop a dead tree.  I saw this one, or another farther along.  You can see a hint of red coming in on the head.

Several Horned Grebes were on the lake, and I counted about 15 off south point area.

A late-ish Scarlet Tanager was at the compost area.

After almost 3 hours, I left the park and headed up to Blenheim Lagoons.  This time there were many birds to look at!  Lots of ducks and shorebirds.  All four sprinkler cells were just right.

There were around 100 shorebirds, a good number for this date.  Lots of Lesser Yellowlegs (at least 40) and Pectoral Sandpipers. There were Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, a Long-billed Dowitcher, a couple of Dunlin and pretty sure a White-rumped.  **Note:  bring in a scope!

Lots of ducks including a female Bufflehead, rather early for the date.




Walked the Erieau trails as well.  Not much there except a Gray-cheeked Thrush and some White-crowned Sparrows.

This late-ish Silver-spotted Skipper was still hanging on.








I decided to check Ridgetown, but presently it is only good for waterfowl.  Geese are always attracted in big numbers there, so worthwhile to check for uncommon species.  A single Snow Goose was among Canada's.

Not many insects today, but I thought this katydid on Big Bluestem was a neat photo op.