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...

Sedge Surprise

Yesterday afternoon I decided to go for a quick walk at the Kelly Stanton Environmental Significant Area in London. The plan was to look for plants, something that I am finding I quite enjoy!

I found a couple of my "target" species pretty quickly.

Nodding Bulrush (Scirpus pendulus)

Robin's-plantain (Erigeron pulchellus)

As well as a couple butterflies.

Common Ringlet

Little Wood Saytr

At one point, I felt as though I was going the wrong way, so I decided to try and double back and reorientate myself. I found a trail which I thought may have been the right one, and began to make my way on it, through a nice meadow. As I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a song which was familiar, but I couldn't place it. It sung again, and I knew it would be something good. It sung again, and it clicked...could it be? Yes it was!

It my surprise, I came across two singing Sedge Wrens! Its a species that I've been on the lookout for in the county for awhile, but today was not the day I was expecting to come across one (or two!). Both were quite vocal, and the habitat is suitable (and in no danger of being cut...I hope), so it seems likely that they will stick around for at least a little bit, and perhaps breed if a female shows up, or perhaps there is already a female hiding somewhere in the long grass.

As I was looking for plants, I had an inadequate lens, but at least you can tell what it is. It was singing at my feet at one point, but the grass is so dense, no pics of that one!

As it turned out, the way I had gone originally was in fact the correct way. Good thing I had gotten "lost"!

After that excitement, I went on to see what else I could find.  I believe this is Lake Sedge (Carex lacustris).

Other than the wren, my favourite find was these Yellow Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium parviflorum)

I found a dead Wild Turkey, and on it were several carrion beetles, such as these American Carrion Beetles.

All in all, I'd say it was a very nice outing, especially with that completed unexpected surprise find!

Let this be your reminder to check yourself after walking through long grass...

Birding the Bruce

On Saturday, my dad and I headed up to the Bruce Peninsula to join the group from Nature London. They had gotten up there on Friday, but we were unable to get up until the following evening. Despite missing out a couple good birds (they had a beautiful Golden-winged Warbler), it was still worth the trip.

Driving up, we came across a Red Fox den with some fairly young cubs.

Then, a couple hours later, we came across this...

That's right, a Black Bear! This was a lifer for me, and I was excited to be able to see one.

We soon arrived at Little Cove road were a couple of the group members were waiting. Around eleven Common Nighthawks made an appearance, which were nice to see. Note the white bars under the wings.

Grasshopper Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, and Black-billed Cuckoo were also seen. Coyotes were heard giving some weird vocalizations, and at first we thought they were a loon.

BB Cuckoo

We managed to hear and see American Woodcocks and Eastern Whip-poor-wills. The whips were quite close to the road, and at one point we actually saw two of them jump up and sort of attack each other. We counted five, but there very well could have been more. It would be interesting to return in late June and see if there are any successful nests.

The next morning the two of us hit Dyer's Bay and Crane Rd. before joining the group.

American Bitterns, Ring-necked Pheasant, and a Sora were calling. The bitterns in particular were quite cool as I've never heard them before this trip.

American Bittern

A few Sandhill Cranes, as usual, were found.

I'm sure we would have heard more had it not been for the cows making a racket.

Grasshopper and Swamp Sparrows were present, along with Yellow Warbler and some Eastern Kingbirds.

Eastern Kingbird

We met up with the group in Tobermory. We walked around a bit and ate some breakfast, stopping to look at birds when we found them.

Double-crested Cormorant

Black-and-white Warbler

Ring-billed Gull

Hooded Merganser

There wasn't really all to much to be seen...except....American Redstarts.

The Bruce seems to be the place to get redstarts, and it isn't uncommon to hear someone exclaim "oh, it's a.....(discouraged noises) redstart"

After breakfast, it was off to Cape Hurd road. There was a bit of excitement as we first turned onto it, with a small group of warblers containing Chestnut-sided, Wilson's, and, of course, redstarts.

American Redstart

Some more excitement when we found a nice low kettle of Broad-winged Hawks and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, the first and only of the trip. Winter Wrens created a stir as well.

Broad-winged Hawk

We stopped into Sunset Park. This is a great spot for Indian Paintbrush.

You can get some great looks at Common Yellowthroats here as well.

Moving onward to the dump, we quickly located a few Common Ravens, the target species.

Distinguishing Field Mark: Wedge Shaped Tail

Also seen were Eastern Pheobe, American Kestrel, Black Bear, Ruby-throated Hum-, wait a BLACK BEAR?!?!? My second one of the weekend and the first for the rest of the group. It ambled out of the forest into the field then commenced to head toward us.

It soon broke out in a run...but not before a few of the group members had already gotten back into their cars a couple hundred meters away.

We were (mostly) calmly returning to our vehicles when we heard the loud bang of one of the garbage bin lids. After a couple explosive obscenities, we realized that it was just the wind.

Continuing on to Warner Bay road, we came across an Alder Flycatcher, Eastern Bluebird, and a Clay-colored Sparrow.

Eastern Bluebird

Then came another lifer...a Massasauga Rattlesnake. Only thing was that it was being eaten by a Great Blue Heron...it was still alive so it technically counts, right?

The rattlesnake had somehow wrapped it's way around the heron's head, and the bird soon flew away with the snake still tangled up in it's bill. We can only wonder who won (my money is on the heron).

Singing Sands revealed our first terns of the trip.

Common Tern

It was quite nice to be able to take a little break from hiking and walk in the water.

While in the woods, we came across a nice little grouping of warblers including Nashville, Canada, and a Blackpoll.

There were a couple other flowers around, including the Dwarf Lake Iris, which is only reliably found in this part of Ontario.

Fringed Polygala (Gaywings)

Dwarf Lake Iris

Star-flowered Solomon's Seal

Indian Paintbrush

After Singing Sands, we headed toward Sky Lake, but not before checking out a spot known for Brewer's Blackbirds. It was here we found numerous Savannah Sparrows, Bobolinks, and our first Warbling Vireos.

Savannah Sparrow

Warbling Vireo

We did eventually find a couple Brewer's Blackbirds. The distinguishing white eye is visible.

The lake was not as busy as we would have liked, but a few Great Egrets and Marsh Wrens kept us more or less entertained.

A few Bullfrogs and fish as well.

Rock Bass

Isaac Lake was next on the agenda, but this cow didn't really want us to go.

Blue-winged Teal was quickly found, as were Caspian Tern, Tree Swallow, and American Wigeon.

BW Teal

Caspian Tern

Tree Swallow

The star of the show was a Sedge Wren that appeared to be building a nest. It took me awhile, but I eventually scored some decent photos of it. Photos of this bird are nearly impossible to get at they seem to never come out into the open. I got lucky and the bird came out for about 20 seconds.

A few new birds were added to the trip list here including Wilson's Snipe, Mute Swan, and Common Loon. The swans were new for my county list.

The last stop of the Nature London trip was the Wiarton Sewage Lagoons. Here we saw our first Spotted Sandpiper, Northern Shovelers, and Lesser Scaup. According to eBird, the Lesser Scaup are uncommon/rare at this time of the year in the Bruce.

After breaking off from the group, we headed down to Sauble Beach for the Piping Plovers. We found a pair, including an unbanded male, which I thought was interesting. Hopefully their nest succeeds this year.

It was a pretty good trip, and I can't wait until my next excursion northward.