2022SOntarioSpringMigration

 We left the motel at 7:30 am and drove to Rondeau.  It was cloudy and cool.  The winds picked up in the afternoon. In Rondeau, it started raining lightly and it rained all morning and into the afternoon.  We walked  Warblers' Way and then we walked over to the Marsh Trail.  There was a Henslow's Sparrow reported up the trail a ways.  We met a photographer coming out at the entrance of the trail and he said the views of the bird were not good. He said there were people there so we would know when we got to the spot.  So we continued on the trail.  We saw the group of photographers and they said "there it is".  We had great views of the Henslow's.  We were there for about 5 minutes and said thank you and left.  An easy new bird for us.   At Tulip Trail it was really quiet.  At the Beach trail it was really quiet.  We walked to the beach and Lake Erie was wild.  No ducks were seen out there.  We had ...

 We packed up our stuff this morning and checked out of the motel.  The day was cool and cloudy with some sun.  We took the tram to the Tip.  We walked the inner seasonal trail to the Tip and it was very very quiet.  Then once at the tip we looked down the beach.   More of the sand bar was showing today.  There were ducks off shore and along with gulls.  There were Red breasted Mergansers and Greater Black backed Gulls, Ring billed Gulls out on the water.  We took the bay-side trail back from the tip to the roadway.  Still very quiet with few birds around.  We did not climb the viewing tower today.  We walked to the Sparrow Field and were rewarded with a great view of an Eastern Bluebird.   Further in on this trail we had a Wood Thrush and a Blue headed Vireo.  We heard the Wood Thrush sing which was lovely.  There were plenty of Ruby Crowned Kinglets around again.   .  On Woodland Trail ...

 It was misty and cool this morning . We took the tram to the Tip at Pt Pelee.  There were Nashville, Black throated Blue, Black throated Green, Blackburnian, Northern Parula, and Palm Warbler in the bushes.  Here is the Northern Parula. We saw many Ruby crowned Kinglets throughout the park today.  Before we left the tip we all walked up the six story viewing tower at the Point.  It is made of steel grill flooring and steps and quite high.  Going up the tower is very easy but coming down one is looking at the steps and it is a grill that that one looks through and sees the ground way below.  The view from the top is stunning with the lake there and the Point and the marshes.    We took a selfie from the top to celebrate. Susan carried her scope up and looking through a scope at that height was really neat.   While it does not like we are happy, we were thrilled to be up there to see the view. We were on the third level coming down w...

 We studied the weather yesterday and there were weather alerts etc for rain and storms today.  We left for Hillman Marsh this morning at 8 am.  The sky looked cloudy but not really like it was going to rain.  It was cool, around 8 degrees.  By the time we arrived at Hillman Marsh it was pouring.   We each took our scope with us and walked to the covered viewing stand.  We encountered about 4 groups of Canada Geese each with a bunch of cute goslings sticking close to Mom and Dad Goose.  They were led into the water and the little ones skillfully paddled in the water.  The rain did not seem to bother them.    We set up our scopes and we had the whole place to ourselves. Susan gave Barb and Jane an ebird lesson with the real time data of new birds to record to ebird.   Thank You Susan.   It was quite nice to scan the marsh and call out the birds.  New birds here included Semi palmated Plover, Great Egret,...

 Today's  weather forecast called for sun and cloud.  Unfortunately the day was mainly cloudy.   It was cool but comfortable.  We had gloves and a hats on.  There was a slight wind.  Here are photos of us at the Tip or on the seasonal trail leading to the Tip. We started our birding on the Woodland Trail and found several groups of White crowned Sparrows.  We also saw the first of a couple of Swainson's Thrushes.  On the Redbud footpath yesterday's reports indicated some good birds were seen here.  Today on Redbud we had a Warbling Vireo.  Back onto  Woodland Trail we found a Least Flycatcher.  We noted that most of the birds that we see, are not singing.  The Red winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles make up most of the forest sounds with their numerous calls.  Further on this trail we had a Great crested Flycatcher.  We had House, Carolina, and Sedge Wrens today on the Woodland Trail. The Woodland Tra...

 It was raining when we woke up this morning.  A little rain was not going to stop us.  Arrangements had been made by the OFO to allowing viewing of the Marsh Sandpiper at the Thedfort Sewage Lagoons.  This bird is the first Marsh Sandpiper recorded for Canada and Ontario.  It was blustery and rainy so I only could take a photo with my iphone.  Now I know that bird is there but everyone else must use their imagination. By the time we arrived the skies were clearing and the rain had stopped.  It was very windy.  We met up with several friends once we parked on the road and, as instructed entered the gates.  OFO President Jeff Skevington was there to say Hi to everyone along with his Dad, Richard.  We also a met up with Paul Legasi of Ottawa who pointed the bird out to us as soon as possible, as birds do fly.  The March Sandpiper was in the back of the lagoon with the Northern Pintail Ducks and actively feeding.  It was smaller t...