Water is where the birds are

(A milestone blog post: #400)

This roller coaster weather of intense cold followed by the January thaw, then more cold and then a February thaw is likely making it challenging for winter birds, especially those that rely to some extent on open water. But for birders, going to an area with open water is the best place to find birds.

Lake Erie is mostly frozen over, at least in most places. There are few areas where one can gaze out across the expanse and see nothing but ice. To get an idea of how much of Lake Erie is currently covered in ice, check out this link. 

Here is what it looks like from Erieau in the last few days. No Purple Sandpiper there!

But in the channel between the lake and the bay, there is enough flow of water, as well as a large number of waterfowl, which keep a portion of it open, and the birds are really packed in.

There is quite a good variety of ducks, geese and swans.

 Canvasback and Redhead are fairly abundant.

 There are actually at least two open spots, maybe another one or two around the corner and out of sight. Ducks are regularly flying back and forth between them.

Greater Scaup did not seem to be very plentiful.

Gr. Scaup (L), Common Goldeneye (R)

 Common Goldeneye were well represented.

American Black Ducks actually outnumbered the usually abundant Mallard.

The outlet for the water treatment plant in Chatham, just downstream from the Keil Drive bridge over the Thames River, is a reliable place to see waterbirds during the coldest weather, since there is always at least some open water.

Amongst the ubiquitous Mallard, one can usually find something else.

Common Goldeneye

Northern Shoveler

Wood Duck and Mallards

 There is usually a Belted Kingfisher that hangs around as well, although is not seen all the time and is very skittish.

There are some things that can still be found across the snowy landscape, and in fact are more easy to see against the white backdrop.

Not a Snowshoe Hare!