Mid-May Birding Highlights

What a week it has been! I have had some pretty great birding, and here are some of the highlights. 

Last Friday finally saw some movement (coincidentally, last year the 'drought' ended on May 14th as well), so I made a point of going to Kilally Meadows ESA first thing in the morning. Although it was not crazy, I still manged to tally 80 species in the five hours I was there (see the eBird checklist here). Highlights included Evening Grosbeak, Broad-winged Hawk (seemed a bit late), FOY Blackpoll Warbler, and my county lifer Golden-winged Warbler. 

Just as I was leaving, I got a call from Bill Lindley who had White-rumped Sandpipers at the Strathroy Sewage Lagoons, so that's where I headed next. Although I struck out on the White-rumpeds, I did end up finding a small flock of Short-billed Dowitchers. Not a species I was exactly expecting to see this year in the county! I also saw my FOY Dunlin and Semipalmated Plovers. 

As soon as I had gotten home, I got another call from Bill, letting me know a Wilson's Phalarope had been reported at Dingman Wetland, on the south side of the city. I was off again...

I arrived and immediately saw the female Wilson's Phalarope. What a gorgeous bird, the photo does it no justice. 

The next morning I went back to Kilally. It was a bit slower than the previous day (eBird checklist here), and I tallied a few less species. Nevertheless, it was nice to see my FOY Scarlet Tanager and Bay-breasted Warblers, as well as getting some decent looks at another Blackpoll. At one point, I was surprised to find a Savannah Sparrow in the tree right above my head! Odd place for such a bird. 

Savannah Sparrow

Blackpoll Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Later that afternoon, I saw that a Prairie Warbler, a species not seen in Middlesex since 2002, had been found at Cavendish Woods earlier that morning in the middle of London. A couple phone calls later, and Bill, Gord, and I were on scene. 

To make a long story short, we spent a couple hours (with a short intermission to go see a White-rumped Sandpiper at Dingman) looking, but came up empty. We went back the next morning and found out from the guy who found it that the bird had stopped singing by early afternoon anyways. 

What we did find however, was a Hooded Warbler! I got some pretty bad photos of it, but you can tell what it is. Patagonia Picnic Table effect anyone?

I did my usual Kilally route on Sunday morning, followed by that return trip to Cavendish Woods, but nothing really of note.

I saw there was a chance of rain in the afternoon (spoiler alert: it didn't happen), so I went out to look for shorebirds. My first stop was Strathroy, which in addition to my FOY Black-billed Cuckoo, I saw some more dowitchers. Spent some time photographing shorebirds.

Short-billed Dowitchers

Dowitcher and Lesser Yellowlegs

Least Sandpiper

Dunlin

Dowitchers in flight

Afterwards I went to Dingman. There were many shorebirds to sort through, and I had 45 or so Semipalmated Plovers, which was my personal high count for southern Ontario (have had flocks of over 100 up on James Bay though), as well as my FOY Semipalmated Sandpiper. I was also pleased to get some better looks at the White-rumped Sandpiper. 

Digiscoped White-rumped with many Leasts

The next morning I went back out to Kilally, and was pleased to find a bunch of birds had come in, including my FOY Mourning, Canada, and Wilson's Warblers, Eastern Wood-pewees, Red-eyed Vireos (finally), and best of all, a Red-headed Woodpecker. Not a picture taking morning! See the eBird checklist here.

Later in the evening, I caught wind of Ruddy Turnstones down at Dingman (which is so inconveniently far away), and I was out the door before you could say "Arenaria interpres".

After some frantic scoping in the evening light, I managed to find them. A county bird for me, and one I was really hoping to cross paths with this spring. First Middlesex record in five years I believe. 

Another digiscope

A couple other birders showed up, and we stayed until dark. Paid off, since a Black-bellied Plover flew in!

The next morning I stuck to my neighbourhood (I wanted to be able to get home in time for the opening of vaccine registrations!), but I still managed to find my FOY Philadelphia Vireo and Alder Flycatcher. Compared to Kilally, not much going on though! 

I finally set up my moth sheet on this night as well, since it was warm out. Not much in the way of moths, but I did add a new neighbourhood bird when I heard a couple Long-tailed Ducks calling as they flew over. 

Kilally the next morning didn't yield much other than a few more Canada Warblers, and a lateish Common Loon. Still found nearly 70 species though. In the evening, I had my FOY Common Nighthawks flying above my yard.

The next morning once again started with Kilally (lol). FOY Yellow-billed Cuckoo was nice, but other than that no more year birds. I did have four Canada Warblers and three Mourning Warblers though, so hard not to be pleased with that I guess! 

After I got home, I got an alert for Red-necked Phalarope and some Wilson's Phalaropes at the Strathroy Sewage Lagoons, so I bet you can guess where I ended up in the afternoon! It took a loop of the north lagoon, but I finally spotted both species of phalaropes (one Red-necked and four Wilson's). This was my first time seeing a breeding plumaged Red-necked.

Wilson's, Red-necked, and a Mallard

And so that brings us to today, and of course I went to Kilally. Overall, it was pretty uneventful, although there was one highlight. As I was walking along the paved path, I heard a flycatcher vocalization deep in the woods that caught my ear. I suspected Acadian Flycatcher, so I investigated. Sure enough, I managed to get a better listen and a visual, and it was indeed an Acadian! The first one I have seen in four years. The species breeds regularly in a few woodlots in Middlesex, although there are very few records for right in London. It is no mega rarity, but it was nice to find something.

I have some audio recordings on my eBird checklist.

It was a fantastic week, and there should still be more to come! Still have a few species to catch up with, maybe tomorrow...

Rondeau Rounds

With Ontario reopening operating provincial parks yesterday, I went down to Rondeau Park. From the radar from the night prior, it was looking like it may be an interesting day.

My dad and I left the house shortly after 5:00, and made the drive to the park. We were halted briefly along the causeway when a family of Canada Geese refused to move, but soon made it to the park. I rolled down the window, and the sweet sound of bird song filled the car.

My first stop was the campground. Tons of birds, and I had the place all to myself! I had several first of year birds, which were certainly nice to see, even if I probably should have gotten them a week or two earlier! There were dozens of thrushes and warblers, with lots of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles and Least Flycatchers mixed in. Over 20 species of warblers were spotted, highlighted by Canada, Wilson's, and a Mourning.

Mourning Warbler

At one point, a different looking wren flushed from some grass in front of me. I raised my binoculars, and there looking back at me was a Sedge Wren! Seems like there were a decent number of these found yesterday, about a half dozen in the Rondeau area.

As if that wasn't enough, I looked up and in the tree above the wren was a Clay-colored Sparrow, another uncommon migrant.

After racking up over 80 species just from the campground, I began to walk south. I checked out maintenance. I only added Brown Thrasher to the day list here. I did see a lifer plant though, Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata).

I went down to the Pony Barn, where I ran into Josh and Laura. They had just had a Golden-winged Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher. I managed to get the warbler, but no luck with the flycatcher. This was my first Golden-winged for Rondeau, but seeems like a Golden-winged shows up at the Pony Barn every year.

Not an Acadian, so not the LEAST bit exciting

I began my trek down Harrison Trail. It was approaching late morning by this point, so things were quieting down a bit, and adding new species was getting harder. Saw my first Philadelphia and Red-eyed Vireo of the year, as well as an Eastern Bluebird and Pileated Woodpecker. A couple plants kept me entertained.

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Yellow Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus flabellaris)

Crossed paths with Ken Burrell and 'Anonymous eBirder', who had just had an Acadian and a Louisiana Waterthrush. I kept an eye out, but had no luck. Before long, I reached the visitor centre. I decided to keep going. Certainly a lot more birds along this stretch of Harrison this time around in comparison to the Christmas Bird Count! A couple Pine Warblers were singing near the South Point parking lot. My fourth wren of the day, a Marsh Wren, was singing out near the lighthouse. A bit further down the trail, I caught a flurry of activity, and spotted a warbler which I think may have been a Lawrence's Warbler, but flew away before I could get a look. I pished a bit, and seemingly got every bird in the province except that bird!

Scarlet Tanager

It was starting to rain slightly by the time I reached the washout, and since I had left my coat in the car, I didn't linger around there for a long time. I had started the day at the north end of the campground at the edge of Bate's, and had walked the entire length of the park! Got my long walk in for the day.

Not much on the way back, but did have a singing Hooded Warbler.

I made my way up Lakeshore Drive, and around Mel's place (The Pink Cottage), I heard my old nemesis, the White-winged Dove. I saw him sitting on the roof, but he flew off before I could get a photo. This is his fifth year!

It really started to pour at this point, but I still checked the start of the Marsh Trail. I had hoped to get at least a bit down the trail, but that was just not possible. I fear we may have lost the trail for good!

I went to Spicebush Trail next.

I was very wet and miserable, but I had to keep going. Only new bird for the day was a Virginia Rail calling from the marsh. I took a little break for plants.

Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata)

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

Twoleaf Mitrewort (Mitella diphylla)

Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)

Largeflower Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)

By this point I felt as though I was really starting to exhaust the park. There were a few birds I hadn't seen that I probably could have if I tried, but I was itching to check out some other places in the area. So, I left the park.

I checked out Keith McLean, which is currently a big muddy mess. I heard a Common Gallinule, probably the most exotic thing. A few shorebirds were around, including Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Plover, and Least Sandpiper. Hearing all those birds call sure brought me back to the coast of James Bay!

Short-billed Dowitcher

Dunlin

Least Sandpiper

Last stop of the day was Erieau. Not much of interest at the pier, other than a Red-headed Woodpecker, which seemed quite odd. Apparently its been around for a few days. The Rail Trail was much more active. Steve joined us shortly after we arrived. Highlight was a White-eyed Vireo.

Also seen was a Mourning Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler (26th warbler species of the day), Scarlet Tanager, Great Crested Flycatcher (first and only of the day), and s flock of Short-billed Dowitcher.

Overall, a solid day of birding! Seems like today was also good, with a couple Kirtland's Warblers (killed me to miss, but oh well!). I imagine a return trip to Rondeau is (hopefully) in my near future...

Twitch to Mitchell

Well, I guess it wasn't your traditional twitch. My dad and I went to the West Perth Wetlands in search of one rarity, the Glossy Ibis, but in turn came across another rarity.

I was told last night that the Glossy Ibis flew off, but I was optimistic that it possibly had returned. So I convinced my dad to go, and we made the 45 minute drive to West Perth. When we got there, we were told almost right away that the ibis was nowhere to be seen (bummer), but there was a Yellow-headed Blackbird somewhere. The ibis forgotten, we began the search for the bird amongst the reeds.

The shorebird numbers were up from last time I came, and so was the species count (15, up from 10).

Both yellowlegs, Greater and Lesser, could be found. However, the Lesser Yellowlegs outnumbered the Greaters by about 22 to one!

Greater Yellowlegs (longer bill)

Lesser Yellowlegs (shorter bill)

Stilt Sandpipers were around in decent numbers, and I counted around eleven of them.

This Painted Turtle was crossing the path.

Pectoral Sandpiper numbers were also up.

y

This Sanderling was associating with some Least Sandpipers and Killdeer in the fenced-in cell. On eBird, the Sanderling is flagged as rare in Perth. A noteworthy bird for sure.

There was a large group of American Golden-Plovers that had come in.

There were a couple Short-billed Dowitchers present.

Two Wilson's Snipe were working the reed beds.

While I was looking at the dowitchers, my dad said that he had found a "black bird with a yellow chest". Soon after, we were both looking at a female Yellow-headed Blackbird.

She soon disappeared into the reeds, and we were unable to relocate her.

Just as we were about to leave, another birder told me about an American Bittern in the far cell. After he patiently showed me where it was (those bitterns are hard to find!), he went on to try to find the Yellow-headed, leaving just me and the bittern.

After watching it awhile, I saw it catch a frog.

Then it walked out into the open, the first time I've seen a bittern do that.

It then settled down into a clump of reeds, which is where I left it.

While I may have missed the Glossy Ibis, the other rarities I saw made up for it. If the year continues the way it is going, I'm sure I'll have another chance at seeing the ibis. Great outing!