Rondeau Afternoon

This past Monday I went down to the Rondeau area for a few hours in the afternoon. I didn't really have any targets in mind, and I just figured I'd see what I'd see!

I made a quick stop into Keith McLean Conservation area. I had visions of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, but it was quickly found it was not to be. Oh well.

There were a few birds of note around, including two rail species, Sora and Virginia Rail. Both flushed from the side of the marsh as I approached. Not often one gets to see rails! Lots of ducks were present, but the only shorebirds were Killdeer and a Spotted Sandpiper.

Green-winged Teal

Other than birds, there were a number of other things. Carp were quite (unfortunately) numerous in the wetland.

Lots of frogs and toads. I heard Leopard Frogs and a Western Chorus Frog, but no photos of those.

American Toad

A big ol' Snapping Turtle was laying on the bank.

Saw my first American Lady butterfly of the year.

Afterwards, we moved into the park. There was a number of wildflowers right beside the road.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

As well a cousin of the American Lady, the Red Admiral. Red Admirals have really started to arrive back in Ontario in about the last week.

I made the obligatory drive up Lakeshore road to look for the returning White-winged Dove, which has come back for its fifth year. Some may know that bird and I have quite the "history", as it took me four year and numerous attempts to finally see him. Of course, when I went on Monday he was just sitting out in the open on top of the cottage owner's car.

The dove has had this strange ritual, since 2016, I believe, he had attempted to build "nests" on top of the car. Of course, cars move, so he must restart constantly, but he is very persistent! On this day, he was flying back and forth regularly with sticks to add to his collection.

It took me almost five years, but I finally got some photos I am happy with!

There were numerous sparrows feeding along the roads, mostly Chipping Sparrows with a few Field Sparrows mixed in.

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

After Lakeshore, we went down to Dog Beach. There were a couple plants of interest.

Torrey's Rush (Juncus torreyi)

Cyprus Spruge (Euphorbia cyparissias)

Also my first Caspian Terns of the year.

Finally, I stopped in for a quick walk of Tulip Tree Trail. Not much birdwise, save for a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, but there were other things to look at!

Black Sooty Mold (Scorias spongiosa)

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

A number of mosses were present along the trail.

Common Haircap Moss (Polytrichum commune)

Brocade Moss (Hypnum imponens)

Goose Egg Moss (Arrhenopterum heterostichum)

All in all, quite the fun afternoon! I can't wait to get back, as spring has just begun!

Rondeau in the Morning, Essex Later On

First things first...I missed the White-winged Dove.

Okay, now that that's out of the way....

Today my dad and I checked out a few locations in southern Ontario, starting with Rondeau Provincial Park. The day started with American Robins, American Woodcocks, and a Fowler's Toad on the road.

Continuing along Rondeau Rd., we added Wood Thrush, chickadee, and White-throated Sparrow to our list. Mammals include White-tailed Deer, Raccoon, and Virginia Opossum.

South Point Trail was one of the best stops of the day. Pine Warblers were singing first thing, and soon I found a Yellow-rumped Warbler. FOY Common Yellowthroat as well.

There were some birds braving the insane east winds and waves. I wouldn't doubt a few of the swallows perished today in the harsh conditions of Lake Erie.

My first "good" warbler of the day was a singing Blue-winged Warbler. After following it in the brush for a while, I got some photos that I'm happy with.

There were a decent amount of Eastern Towhees around today.

I saw three Red-headed Woodpeckers today. This one came in when I was looking at the Blue-winged Warbler.

There were a few Blue-headed Vireos around. I heard a White-eyed a bit later.

There was a decent movement of Common Loons today, and I saw close to 40.

On the way back, a fellow birder found a Yellow-breasted Chat, which was a lifer. Unfortunately, just as I was to take a picture, auto-focus decided it liked the leaf in front of the chat better than the bird. What I was left with was a yellow blob (if you stare at it long enough you can kinda see a YB Chat).

The VC feeders are always a great place to check out, and today it was quite busy.

Blue Jay

Tufted Titmouse

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Carolina Wren

White-crowned Sparrow

There were a couple of birds near the start of the Tulip Tree Trail, but other than a FOY Gray Catbird, it was a very quiet walk.

Baltimore Oriole

Black-throated Green Warbler

Spicebush Trail was also fairly quiet, however there were some birds to be seen, including a pair of Wood Ducks, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, White-throated Sparrows, and a Black-and-white Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Dutchman's Breeches was a plant that I've always wanted to see...I saw it.

Maintenance loop was dead except for the first Eastern Phoebe of the trip.

The Pony Barn and Log Pond revealed my first Yellow Warbler of the trip, some House Wrens, and a pair of Gray Catbirds.

Yellow Warbler

Gray Catbird

Finally, we checked out the docks, where we found some FOY birds like Purple Martin, Bonaparte's Gull, Forster's Tern, and Palm Warbler.

Purple Martin

Red-breasted Merganser

Forster's Terns and Bonaparte's Gull

Palm Warbler

Forster's Tern and Bonie

After checking ONTBIRDS from Tim Hortons, we decided to forgo Blenheim Sewage Lagoons and make a beeline for Hillman.

When we got there, the American Avocets and godwits were nowhere to be found, but a nice group of 50+ Willets and a Stilt Sandpiper were a nice consolation prize.

Willets

Stilt Sandpiper...uncommon spring migrant

Willets are becoming increasingly common in Ontario, and I'm sure it won't be long before they regularly breed here.

There were some other birds at Hillman too, including a pair of Trumpeter Swans.

Dunlin

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Caspian Tern and Bonaparte's Gulls

Bonaparte's Gulls

For the final stop of the day, we went to Tilbury Sewage Lagoons in pursuit of the Black-necked Stilt, which is a very good bird for Ontario, and their numbers are increasing.

With the help of another birder, I was able to find the stilt soon after arriving. What a beaut!

The final bird of the day was this American Kestrel with a mouse.

It was a pretty good day, considering the conditions. I can't wait to get out again!