Late Winter sightings

I'm going to interrupt my series of posts featuring rare birds of Rondeau, but just for a short time. I've got to catch up on some of the things I've been seeing on my recent outings. There isn't a lot, but with hints of spring just around the corner bringing more action, I don't want to get too far behind!

A trip up along the St. Clair River not long ago had lots of ice flowing downstream, and with it lots of gulls drifting down along with it. I had a Glaucous Gull, a species which hasn't been plentiful anywhere that I've been this winter, but it was too far out for a photo, as many gulls were. Fortunately at one warm water outflow, there was a frenzy of gulls, but mostly the usual Herring and Ring-billed ones. A few Great Black-backed Gulls were mixed in, waiting their turn to pick off something that was attracted to the outflow, and a couple of them were close enough to get photos.

 There was a good variety of waterfowl along the river, but again most were well out in the middle, not far from drifting ice. However the Sombra docks proved to be the spot to find some ducks relatively close by, providing some satisfying photo ops.

Greater Scaup

Redhead

Female Redhead

 There were lots of Long-tailed Ducks on the more northerly parts of the St. Clair River, also way out in the middle. If I had gone to Pt Edward at the very north end, I might have had success photographing them. However this one was at Erieau, mingling on the edge of a large gathering of Canada Geese.

 Sticking with waterfowl, the 4 Snow Geese have been hit and miss at the Ridgetown Sewage Lagoons. They must spend part of the time on the far side of the most northerly berm. I've only seen them about half the time I stop by. These three, with the slowly moulting first year bird in between the two adults, were on the far berm. The fourth goose was off to the right.

 Snowy Owls persist in the area, although they aren't as plentiful as some winters. They seem to be most often seen towards Mitchell's Bay, perhaps because the number of Am Crows aren't quite as concentrated there. Crows don't harass the Snowies a lot, but I have seen it. One of the owls is sometimes using a pile of concrete not far from the road.

 I photographed this one on a different day, but in the same general location. It was one of those times when it was on a post almost at eye level, and with a nice clear background.

 It flew off a short way, and landed on top of a nearby hydro pole, with a much deeper blue sky background.

 The Wilson's Snipe continues at the drainage ditch along Stefina Line, just southeast of Blenheim. There have been as many as three birds seen, although I have only seen as many as two on a couple of occasions. They can hide really well, and the presence of some snow and ice makes them stand out a bit better.

 There have been a few Yellow-rumped Warblers around the north end of Rondeau, although not seen with a lot of regularity. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has been seen by others in recent days, but I haven't caught up to it yet. It may be an overwintering bird, or possibly a recent arrival.

 Wild Turkeys show up sometimes when you least expect them. Usually they are well away from the road, and quick to disappear into a nearby hedgerow or woodlot. On this occasion as I was rounding a bend along Bloomfield Road, there were at least two dozen of them scattered in a field. Even when I pulled off the road, they didn't seem to be too concerned, and continued scavenging, even coming a bit closer. There was virtually no traffic, so the few disturbances made it easier on all of us!

 Rough-legged Hawks are typically found throughout the winter. However this winter they have been hard to come by. I think I have only seen three all winter long so far.

 One day as I was visiting St. Clair NWA, I glanced at a Wood Duck box and was pleased to see this Eastern Screech Owl peeking out, presumably enjoying some late afternoon sun.

 On another occasion, there were 5 Sandhill Cranes in a field immediately adjacent to the NWA. These three shown here, included a youngster from last year on the left. Another pair flew by but did not land.

 Here the adults are dueting.

 Three Hooded Mergansers, one male and two females, were swimming around the open channel along the road access to the NWA, but silhouetted against the sun, making even getting this shot a challenge. They didn't stick around for long.

 As the days warm up, or at least get bright and sunny, some of the resident birds are beginning to sing, such as this Carolina Wren.....

 ....and this House Finch, which was with about three females.

 The nesting season has begun for some species. Bald Eagles are on their nests in some cases, as I have seen adults sitting as if they are incubating something at both the nest in the tree line just east of St. Clair NWA, and the nest along Willow Creek at the south end of Fargo Road. On occasion, you can see the pair of eagles going through some courtship flight.

 And as the days get a little warmer, even the Virginia Opossums must be more active. We have seen them active even during the day in our neighbourhood, and I came across this one along one of the trails at Rondeau. They must be venturing farther and farther to some extent, as I have seen more road-killed 'possums during my travels in the last couple of weeks.

 Here's looking at you!