Rondeau Birding September 24-26

 The last three days I took it easy and went down to Rondeau.  Thursday morning I stopped by Keith McLean C. L. to check on the controversial teal.  Although originally identified as a Cinnamon Teal the previous Saturday, by this time there was considerable doubt.  I was gearing up for my Algonquin trip when it was first reported, so was not prepared to drive down and see it.

I did see the supposed bird fairly quickly.  It appears that Blue-winged Teal can show some"cinnamon" colour to variying degrees on the chest and belly.  When one gets looking, there are several Blue-winged Teal that have some "rust" colour!  Overall, I thought the teal looked like a Blue-winged.  The bill was not all that diagnostic, but in Cinnamon, it should obviously be larger and more spatulate in appearance (in most cases).  There is still some discussion out there, but most observers have changed their tune and could not ID it as a Cinnamon, leaving it as "teal" sp.  It is certainly something to look into and do some research.

Just before I saw the subject bird, I was looking closely at the edge where we had Nelson's Sparrows the last couple of years.  It was a bit early in the season for them, but not entirely unexpected to have one around.  At one point, a sparrow popped up right beside me, and sure enough it was a Nelson's!  I fired off some photos without making proper adjustments to the camera.

There were a few shorebirds in, but they continually come and go at McLean's.

I then went into the park and started at south point trail.  Loads of warblers were at the parking lot right from the start, and many went unidentified as they quickly moved through the trees.  

Chestnut-sided Warbler

I ended up with 17 species of warblers, with large numbers of some, and including a somewhat late Northern Waterthrush.  Most numerous seemed to be Blackpolls.

It is amazing how many Blackpolls we get moving through in fall migration. I remember many years ago the park was littered with them.  I estimated at least 800 in the park.

American Redstart

I actually spent quite a bit of time in the park also looking for butterflies....especially Ocola Skipper.  Although I did not find one, there must be some there!  Lots of Common Buckeyes were around though.

Locally, I found a couple of Fiery Skippers.  One was even in the yard last Saturday.

I also watched for plants.  I came aross Closed Gentian in a known spot.

I was thinking it had been a long time since I saw Fringed Gentian in the park, but nearby I found some!

There is a lot of Great Plains Ladies Tresses.

Winterberry Holly is showing well.

Friday I went back to Rondeau and there were even more birds at south point trail.  They were quickly moving south and streaming at times, so once again, who knows what all was there.  Out south beach, JB reported a massive movement of warblers, numbering in the neighbourhood of 500!

I ended up with 17 warbler species, but a couple different from the previous day.

The north end of the park again revealed very few birds.

Peregrine

I stopped by McLean's on the way home.  Shorebirds were coming and going, including a dozen Pecs that suddenly dropped in.

Today (Saturday), I went back starting at McLean's for a quick look first thing.  We probably saw a Nelson's Sparrow, but they are quick to hide in the weeds.

At the start of south point trail, there were lots of birds yet again.  I did not add anything special today, but nice to be out.

Another Common Checkered-Skipper or two went through the yard this afternoon.  I was optimistic in hoping an Ocola would show up!

Sunday is the last day of my week off, so will have to make the best of it.

Victoria Day Weekend 2020 Birding Part Two

Sunday was another day of east winds, which seem to be the norm for this time of year anymore.  I went down to Rondeau Park very early to listen for nightjars.  I heard about nine Whip-poor-wills.  One can always hope for a Chuck-will's-Widow, but I did not encounter one!

With east winds, we stayed on the west side of the park, starting at the Marsh Trail entrance.  Since the trail is a thing of the past, we stood at the trail gate to watch for birds streaming.  Often on east winds, birds hit the west side of the park at the marsh and decide to stream out of the park.  We have had some awesome days in the past, but one has to be quick on the draw to ID birds!
This day, it was the swallows that came from their roost in the marsh and headed in a northerly direction.  In about 25 minutes, Steve, Craig and I estimated about 21,000 swallows went by.  It was an incredible sight!

After the swallows thinned out and there was no real evidence of streaming, we headed to the cars.  However we were delayed as a sparrow was spotted beside the parking lot.  Turned out to be a Grasshoppper Sparrow!
I could not get a good photo as it lurked through the long grass.

It was then time to head down to Spicebush Trail. Upon arrival, many birds were evident including a singing Golden-winged Warbler.  Although seen well, it was not co-operative for the camera as it checked out dead leavesin the slough.  There have been good numbers reported this spring.

We had just set foot on the boardwalk bridge, when an alert was sent out.  Back to the cars!  Reuven and his girlfriend found a Spotted Towhee in the campground.
By the time we arrived on site, the bird had moved considerably north into dense brush.  After about ten minutes, it was "spotted"  lurking on the ground.  I managed to get some crude photos which were enough to ID the bird.

It was a new Rondeau bird for me as well as others.  The last record was in May 2005 when one spent several days in the park.  I could never catch up with that one!
The only other park record was  6 November 1979 where one was reported by Allen Woodliffe.
Another Rondeau area record was 17 December 1989 at Erieau when Alan Wormington found one on the Christmas Bird Count.

After that exercise, we headed back to Spicebush trail and area.  A fair number of birds were found, keeping us busy.

Later, we headed down the west section of south point trail.  We were greeted at the parking area by a singing Cerulean Warbler.
Many more birds kept us busy along the trail, but nothing notable.  Memories of this area were brought up as Steve and I recalled our first Sydenham Field Naturalists outing here in May 1988 (LOL!).  It was my first birding experience in Rondeau Park and luckily it happened to be a fallout day.  We tallied several lifers including a Kentucky Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, etc.  Those were the days when one could walk all the way around on a trail.  Now, several hundred feet of shoreline have disappeared leaving no trail!

After parting ways, I checked out some areas before leaving before I got too tired to drive!  With the situation this spring, I though I would not get to look for Showy Orchis as I annually do.  However, with the park open, I found some.  They are not yet in bloom though.

I ended up with 25 species of warblers, and here is the day's list for just the 'west' side of the park:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S69224304

Today, was another day of brisk east winds and rain.  Luckily, the rain held off for the first part of the morning as I wanted to check out Reid Conservation Area north of home.  The rain overnight flooded everything yet again!

However, I stuck it out for 3.5h there before the rain got too heavy at the end.  It was worth it as there were lots of birds to sort through.
I found most of the warblers in the SW corner of the property where it is very wet and many trees are down as the above photo shows.

I stood in one spot for about an hour sorting through all the warblers.  It was quite entertaining!  This area is where the old oxbow flows out to the Sydenham River.

I counted twenty species of warblers, including a FOY Blackpoll.

I did walk the whole property tallying over sixty species for the outing, including twenty warblers.  There were some high numbers of Northern Parula, Blackburnian and Nashville Warblers and good numbers of others.  It was a treat as I really have never spent much time here in peak migration season.
Here is the list for Reid today:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S69262387

This afternoon the rain let up a bit and I headed to the local hotspot of Peers Wetland.  The "Chicken Island" area was hopping with birds, including another Blackpoll.  Here is the list:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S69281193

Still lots of birds to come, but they will be on the move!

Ovenbird in the Garden

Victoria Day Weekend 2020 Birding Part One

Numbers of birds finally arrived coinciding with the "official" opening of Rondeau Provincial Park.  Dozens of birders descended upon the park, many of which do not often visit Rondeau.  It was nice to see so many familiar faces as we usually do this time of year.

It did not seem like the Victoria Day Weekend, as it is early this year.  As well, there have been few birds until Friday.

I arrived early Friday morning after driving through heavy rain, but oddly enough it stopped just before I arrived!  In fact, the sun was out most of the morning for a beautiful day.  I did not bring the camera after looking at the forecast, but as usual the forecast left something to be desired.
However, it was a great day of birding as we added many first-of-year birds.  Our party did not come across any rarities, but some decent ones were found in the park.  A lucky visitor spotted a flyover Neotropic Cormorant.  A Kentucky Warbler was also reported and not seen or heard again.

We found about 21 species of warblers and other migrants some of which were in high numbers.  Least Flycatchers seemed to have arrived in full force with totals tripping the eBird filter.

Tennesee Warbler

Many added the staple White-winged Dove for their year lists!  Will another female find it this year, as it did two years ago?  If so, will we finally get a confirmed breeding record?  Time will tell.
It has been up to its usual antics.

In early afternoon, the skies clouded over and rain came down, prompting many of us to call it quits for a while at least.

Today, was another story under sunny and warm conditions.  To begin, our party started at maintenance and walked the look down to Bennett and back up Rondeau Road.  We added more FOY's and big numbers of some birds.

While on Bennett, we lucked out just after a pair of Summer Tanagers was spotted.  An attractive young male was accompanied by a female, but remained high in the trees.

Speaking of tanagers, they did not arrive to any degree until yesterday.

Near the end of our loop while we were behind maintenance, we received word that a Kirtland's Warbler was found in the campground by Peter Burke.  As it was not far, we scurried to the location and found the tail-pumping bird foraging on the ground.  I was not on the ball with the camera today, but obtained record shots.

It is the third one I have seen in Rondeau, the first being a self-found bird many years ago.  It is at least the eighth record for Rondeau.

Interestingly, another Kirtland's Warbler was found a bit later down Harrison Trail by John Adams. We met up with John and saw his photo.  Despite many looking for it, it was not relocated.

Golden-winged Warblers were reported in the park both days, but eluded us on our walks.  However, while on Bennett in early afternoon, one was spotted foraging high in a tree.  Finally, we tallied one!

Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were numerous the last two days, with most parties recording some.  For whatever reason, our party could not locate one!  Lots more to come though.

Even several Blackpoll Warblers have been reported, so it is an interesting mix of birds that finally arrived after this spring's horrid weather.  The next couple of days is going into the toilet again, it appears!  Way too much rain forecast, which we do not need at all as so many places are flooded.

Yellow Warblers have finally arrived in their big numbers.  It is always nice to see the first one in April, but by this time, they are found by the dozens.

Locally, the hotspot seems to be Peers Wetland where we have found a good selection and number of warblers.  A couple of Common Gallinules have arrived, and perhaps they will nest there as they did a couple of years ago.

Rondeau Rounds and Some Late Birds

I did my usual rounds at Rondeau once again this weekend.  Saturday was brutally windy and rather cold, but a short lakewatch at dog beach started the day.  One could only stand there for so long!  The only shorebirds were four Sanderlings.  Gull activity was fairly good, but no rarities.....again.

I checked out south point trail afterwards.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets were plentiful for this late date.

A few Yellow-rumped Warblers were kicking around.  Lots of juncos and other sparrows were found.

Later, I went up to the campground.  The south end had quite a few birds to keep one busy.  Two tardy Blue-headed Vireos were working the trees.

Steve had seen a Nashville Warbler (not unusual at this date), but I could not find it.

I decided to go back to south point trail again as it was somewhat out of the wind.  A Blackpoll Warbler was notable on this round.  Lighting was horrible most of the day.

The only flycatcher type left, was a single Eastern Phoebe.

Quite a few Cedar Waxwings were kicking around during the day, but still no Bohemian.

For Sunday I thought of going other places, but it would take a longer drive.  I went back to Rondeau and it turned out to be a good day.  Several late birds were around.  Keith had seen a Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula and American Redstart (female type) during the day, as well as a White-eyed Vireo.  McArthur's had seen a male redstart at their pond as well.  The redstarts are record late by about a week.
I could only come up with Yellow-rumped Warblers despite trying.

Steve and I started the day at dog beach for a lakewatch under more comfortable conditions.  Lots of ducks were moving, especially Bufflehead.  Bufflehead seemed to be everywhere today!  There was a good variety of ducks seen.
Horned Grebes were in good numbers--I kept track and counted 44.  A few Common Loons and a single Red-throated Loon was observed.

We had a distant shorebird which remained unidentified.  It could have been a Purple Sandpiper for all we know!

I went on to south point trail by myself.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets were more plentiful this day.  There were actually all over the park.

An American Woodcock was in the same area as yesterday, but did not co-operate for any type of photo.

Juncos were numerous today, as they usually are this time of year.

The campground was on the agenda next, but it seemed quieter than yesterday.  I checked it twice.
At least three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were roaming around the campground (I saw a fourth near maintenance).  They are regular in winter in the campground!

Finch types were not all that plentiful this weekend. Although some Evening Grosbeaks were around, I could not come up with any.
A few Pine Siskins were around, as well as Purple Finches.
One wonders if we will see any crossbills.  There is a White-winged coming to a feeder up at Sarnia.  It is an ugly dark juvenile, not much to look at apparently!

Down Harrison trail, I spotted a Gray Catbird munching on some berries.

On a tip from Mike Cowlard, at beach access #1, I saw a Blue-headed Vireo.  It was there as soon as I got out of the car!

A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers was along Lakeshore Road.  Despite their grandeur and size, they are very elusive in late fall and winter!  It had been a long time since I had seen one.

After making rounds in the park, I headed over to McGeachy Pond and met up with Steve.  I did not anticipate spending much time there, but we spent more than 1.5h!  Living up to its name, this dike held some decent birds for this time of year.  A Wilson's Warbler was there on Friday, as seen by Jim Burk.
We had to work for them, looking into the tangles, but we came up with some decent finds.  Steve spotted a Black-and-white Warbler at one point.  Even though I was standing right beside him, I did not get a good enough look.  This warbler is most certainly record late by almost two weeks.

Near the viewing tower, we checked the area and a number of birds were in the lower area.  Almost simultaneously, I heard the chip notes of a Northern Waterthrush and a Common Yellowthroat.  Although I saw the waterthrush well, I could not get a photo.

We did get good looks at the Common Yellowthroat, a bird not unusual in this area in late fall.

I went back up on the dike to see if I could see the waterthrush.  As a consolation, I spotted an Orange-crowned Warbler!  These creatures are often difficult to photograph, especially at McGeachy.  Fuzzy photos are the norm!

After this round, it was time to head home.  It will be interesting to see what else turns up in the Rondeau area in the next few weeks.