More May Birding

 I spent the last few days at Rondeau Park.  Initially, the weather did not look good for the week, but  needed to go anyway.  As usual, the forecast was almost 100% wrong!  Weather was quite pleasant except for today (Friday).

Birds were not in large numbers.  In fact, I have not seen a day yet this spring with a nice big fallout.  Maybe those days are a thing of the past.  Variety was there, if one worked for them.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Tuesday I birded around the park, and went out marsh trail in the evening.  I ended up with 121 species.  Mourning, Hooded and Blackpoll were first-of-year warblers.

Quite a few of the expected shorebirds were along the east beaches.

Least Sandpiper

This time of year, we see Showy Orchis in bloom.  I had a difficult time finding just one plant in a usual area.  Not as many as there used to be it seems.

Next day I was up early, as usual.  Birds were scarce, so I did not do as well as the previous day.

An Eastern Screech-owl has been sleeping out in the open of late, providing good photo ops for photographers.

In the afternoon, I had the urge to walk out south beach.  Not really worth it, but one has to satisfy one's curiosity!  There were some of the common shorebirds, including Least Sandpipers.

Still finding lots of Fatmucket mussels along the shoreline.

I spent the last part of the day at the entrance to the marsh trail hoping for Common Nighthawk.  Not!

Earlier, an Osprey was in the sky.

The night was clear as the waxing gibbous moon shone in the sky.

Thursday was a decent day, but I worked for the birds to tally 122 species.  I decided to do an early morning run of the marsh trail.  A couple of Willow Flycatchers were finally in.  Seems flycatchers are a bit late this year, as obviously there are a lot more to come.

I heard both Sora and Virginia Rails.  As a bonus, a King Rail was making itself known by making its characteristic calls deep in the marsh.  It remained unseen.

Interestingly, a King Rail was seen the previous day at the Erieau marsh trail, and again this day, delighting birder from far and wide.

Later in the day, I checked out the shorebirds on the east beaches.

Sanderling

Least Sandpiper

Dunlin

another Sanderling

A couple of Common Loons were far out, and three Long-tailed Ducks were resting on the beach.  Something about those that they like sitting on the beach!  Did not bother to take photos though.

Friday, the weather came!  This time they were right for a change.  I awoke about 04:15, and luckily I heard a Common Nighthawk overhead.  Nicer to see them, but the distinctive call was obvious and will have to do.

I packed up the tent early before the rain came and then drove around the park.  I was a bit late, and only got four Whip-poor-wills.  Seems there are not as many as in previous years.  I could not find any at the north end the month.

I got a walk in on south point trail before some rain came.  A Blue-winged Warbler was singing in the thick of things and remained unseen for us.  However, it was later seen and confirmed by another birder.

Rain started, so I parked at dog beach for a while.  After it stopped, I checked a few shorebirds, including this Greater Yellowlegs.

The rain stopped enough to go for a walk in the visitor centre area and down Harrison trail a bit.  Highlight was a singing Prairie Warbler.  A singing Canada Warbler was nice to see as well.

Rain came again, and I headed up to Bennett and Harrison.  It stopped again, so I went for a walk to the defunct group campground.  By the time I got back, it stared pouring.

That ended my birding in the park as it was going to be a long rain.  Then I was homebound!

Sunset May 16 Rondeau Park

South Beach Walk or Knot?

 I was definitely going to Rondeau today, but the walking plan was up in the air.  I had the notion of going out the south beach today, as this time of year is excellent for shorebirds and gulls.  

I started on south point trail as as usual, and eventually continued on towards the south beach.

There was not much migrant activity as is often the case in this hot weather.  Red-eyed Vireos were in good number finally, and resident birds were singing away.  However, it seem there are likely more to come.

At one point I recognized the song of a Kentucky Warbler.  Sometimes, something like a Carolina Wren can sound similar.  Even a Mourning Warbler if not heard well might sound similar.  But this was 100% Kentucky!  I could not get a good visual as it moved around quite a bit, but it was constantly singing.  The vegetation was quite thick in this area.  I gave up looking for it after a while!  Apparently Mike Irwin had it a couple hours later.

The lake was fairly calm today as I headed out, but the temps were increasing quickly.  I found quite a few shorebirds farther out the beach, including lots of Ruddy Turnstones, Semisands, Semiplovers, Least Sands, etc.

White-rumper

Dunlin, Least

Steve and Craig braved the entire marsh trail this morning and I actually met them after they arrived at the end.  The south beach meets the end of marsh trail very closely, but there is a narrow channel of water in between.

Craig noticed a White-tailed Deer swimming on the lake.  It was way out and coming in!  Where did it come from?  Ohio?  lol.  

This creature walked across the sand for a bit then jumped into the Bay.  It started swimming again.  Must have been on some kind of marathon!

I walked all the way out to the woody area near Erieau, then headed back.  My goal today was to see Whimbrel, but I saw none to that point and turned away somewhat dejected.

Soon after, I noticed a flock of about 30 shorebirds circling about in the bright sun.  I thought perhaps Dunlin, but it took some time before I realized they were Red Knots!

Eventually they found a spot to rest and feed.  I counted 31.

But 31?  In this day and age we often see them in onesies and twosies or some small number.  I do recall in the "old days" when I first started birding we would get flocks like this on the south beach.  What a treat!

While looking at these, I turned a bit to the Bay side and saw nine Whimbrel on the beach.  Where did these come from?  They were not there previously and I did not see them come in.  Mission accomplished.

I headed back on a high note after making a good choice for today.

I looked around other areas of the park before heading home and added some numbers.  Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers were in good numbers, and some flycatchers were in.  I added a FOY Olive-sided, my favourite flycatcher, plus an expected Acadian Flycatcher.  Still have not seen a Yellow-bellied!  Maybe tomorrow.....

Here is today's bird list:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S88662528

Looked at some plants, including the uncommon American Gromwell.

Ribbon Snake

Smoky Time of Year

 The summer is waning quickly!  I have been out as much as possible looking for anything of interest.

I come across many of my "friends", the Royal River Cruiser.

 Lately, McLean Conservation Lands near Rondeau Park has been one of the best spots around for shorebirds and other birds.  (I am still pulling for a Little Blue Heron there!).

This current bird of the week is a Red Knot.  Thursday evening I had nothing to do so went down for a quick look at shorebirds.  The Red Knot (more like a Grey Knot!) was very close, as it has been all week.

Seems we get one lingering bird here every year!

Other shorebirds included Short-billed Dowitchers, peeps, plovers and Stilt Sandpipers.

This morning I had a route planned, starting at McLean's.  I had the place to myself first thing.  New for the year was a pair of Baird's Sandpipers.  These less-common creatures prefer drier ground. They were a bit distant for my camera though.

Some of the same birds from yesterday were present.  I did not see the Knot, but I did not walk far enough as it had moved and was closer to the road.  The long-staying Dunlin was still hanging in there!

With passerine migration coming along nicely, I went into Rondeau Park to look around.  I started at Maintenance-pony barn area, but it was terribly quiet.  I then moved down to south point east side.  The trail is finally dry enough to walk without boots!

A few migrants included Blackburnian and Magnolia Warblers, and Tennessee.

I walked back the beach and found hundreds of gulls and terns, but no rarities!  I could not look at every bird though.

The Cylindrical Blazing Star was in bloom in a usual area.

A few Red-breasted Nuthatches were around at almost every stop today.  Two were even in my yard today.

Some butterflies included a late Appalachian Brown.

Next on the agenda was the river at Thamesville bridge.  This time of year we look for Smoky Rubyspots.  There is never a comfortable spot to view these, as the bank is very steep and thick with vegetation.  However, I did find several.

American Rubyspots were also present as expected, plus other dancers.

I kept an eye out for clubtails, namely Elusive.  Quinten had one there the other day.  I did see one clubtail, quite likely an Elusive, but it took off up the slope and out of sight.  It was the ONLY dragonfly I saw there!

The Elusive Clubtail is rarely seen, but I have seen some!  Unexpectantly, I saw some at Brander Park, Port Lambton back on October 14, 2013.  I guess they have a long season!

Next stop was the Tecumseh Monument park east of Thamesville.  I had the notion to check this out this year for Smoky Rubyspot.  There is only one spot to get down to the riverbank, as the rest of the area is almost a vertical drop!

Upon arriving at the riverbank, it did not take long to find Smoky Rubyspot!

American Rubyspot is also here plus Blue-fronted Dancer, and Violet Dancer.  Probably other things as well.

While there, lots of butterflies were in the flowers, and I caught sight of a Compton Tortoiseshell.  I was not able to get a good photo before it took off.  Not often I see these, but this year seems to be a banner year for them in Ontario.

My next stop was Wardsville Woods, which turned out to be rather quiet.  Hardly a bird there and not too many butterflies.

Tawny-edged Skipper

Spiked Blazing Star

For the route home, I went up to Lambton Line, and briefly stopped at Florence.  Not much was going on here, so I left!

Not quite ready to go home, I stopped by Reid CA for a walk.  Again rather quiet, but a Royal River Cruiser perched briefly right at the start.

At home, to cap things off, another Common Checkered-Skipper stopped by the garden late this afternoon.