Birds of Chatham-Kent, Then and Now, Part IV

 

Great Black-backed Gull

Then: it was not considered hypothetical, but Wood had only seen this species on one occasion, and made no reference to it any earlier.

Now: Clearly things have changed. Great Black-backed Gull was considered mainly a north Atlantic region species, but over the years, the species found at least the lower Great Lakes to its liking. It was first recorded on the Blenheim/Rondeau CBC in 1948. Beginning in 1965 it has been seen on every count, with typically up to a dozen or so recorded during the first couple of decades following. The numbers kept increasing, but fluctuated greatly depending on the seasonal weather and the conditions of the day. The maximum number recorded on this CBC was 380, in 1991.

This species is a 4-cycle one, meaning it doesn't attain full adult plumage and breeding until its fourth year. Therefore sub-adults can be found in C-K almost any time of the year, especially if there is some open water. The two photos above show a full adult first, with a sub-adult, likely a first winter bird, below. Both photos were taken in the Jan/Feb period.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull nest, 1987

Then: Herring Gull was considered a common transient and winter visitor, with numbers of non-breeding birds remaining in the summer. Even during the early winter, when numbers were most commonly recorded for the CBC, the maximum number was about 200 in 1939.

Now: Herring Gull is a large, fairly aggressive gull, eagerly defending its food against even other members of its kind, as the first photo shows. The numbers have increased considerably since the writing of Wood's manuscript. Since the early 1960s, seldom are there less than 100 birds recorded on a Christmas Bird Count, and typically there are several hundred. In the last 15 years, the numbers have averaged almost 900 birds, with as many as 3779 recorded in 2008. One of the reasons for this increase may be due to the presence of Ontario's largest landfill just a short flight away.

Herring Gull has become an occasional breeding species as well. When the water levels of Lake Erie are such that the south beach of Rondeau is a good breeding site, gulls can occupy parts of it, as the above photos show. The middle two photos were taken in June, 1987, while the fourth photo was taken in May, 2013. The latter one wasn't on the south beach, but was taken from my kayak while I was exploring some of the exposed small islands at the south end of the marsh.

Ring-billed Gull

Then: Ring-billed Gull was considered a common spring and fall transient and a summer and winter visitor. Up to 30 birds were reported periodically in spring and fall, with late fall being the time when the largest numbers were recorded. Up to 75 birds were recorded for the first few Christmas Bird Counts.

Now: as with the previous two gull species, the numbers have changed considerably. It is typically the most abundant gull species most of the year. The same CBC in the last 25 years has averaged over 3300 birds, with a high of 12510 recorded in 2001. One of the reasons for this increase may be attributed to Ontario's largest landfill just a short flight away.

When conditions are suitable along the south beach of Rondeau as a nesting site, they will use it as the above photos show. The first and third photos were taken in July, 1983, while the middle photo was taken in June, 1987. 

Forster's Tern

Then: Forster's Tern was considered to be formerly a common summer resident at the St. Clair flats, but at the time of writing (1945), a very rare visitant. There was only one record for this species at Rondeau, that being May 13, 1946.

Now: It is a regular, but not abundant migrant present in spring, summer and autumn. When the marsh water levels are suitable, it has been known to nest, with the first known nesting occurring in about 1980. The nesting photo above was taken in July, 1981. Forster's Tern is generally considered a mid-western species, but with some local habitats in the vicinity of Lake St. Clair showing similarity to the tallgrass prairies and wetlands of the mid-west, this species and others have been known to occur and breed in C-K with some regularity. With Rondeau being a bit farther east, such mid-western species are generally less common either as migrants or breeders.

Common Tern

Then: Common Tern was considered a common summer resident, breeding in colonies on a sand spit in the McGeachy Pond area near Erieau, as well as being fairly abundant in the marshes along Lake St. Clair. Flocks of two hundred were seen foraging along the water. However in several cases some of the eggs have been lost to Herring Gulls, Bonaparte's Gulls and skunks.

Now: While Common Tern is quite regular and sometimes fairly abundant in Chatham-Kent, nesting has diminished substantially. I have seen an occasional nesting attempt along the south beach of Rondeau a few decades ago, but no one has reported them nesting anywhere in recent years. There were no confirmed breeding records in C-K in either of the first two OBBAs, although they did rank as 'Probable' in two squares at Rondeau. The changes are likely the result of three things: (a) a large increase in gulls, which are predatory; (b) the higher water levels of Lake Erie, making nesting sites less available; (c) the increased usage of boaters illegally using the south beach, causing disturbances.

Black Tern

Then: Black Tern was considered a common summer resident, breeding in all the large marshes of the county. An average of about eighty birds were reported at Bradley's marsh in the early part of last century, and was considered more abundant than Common Tern.

Now: In the Rondeau/Erieau area it is regular, but not common at any time. The two photos showing Black Tern nesting were taken in the late 1970s and very early 1980s. The upper one was taken at McGeachy Pond; the lower one was taken at the south end of Rondeau. The water levels at McGeachy Pond used to naturally fluctuate, allowing for functional habitat, but about thirty years ago, a water control system was put in, so the habitat has declined. 

In some of the larger marshes along Lake St. Clair, it is more common, but certainly not abundant. Eighty birds would be a huge increase nowadays! During the second OBBA, there were 5 squares in C-K that had this species 'Confirmed' breeding. There are likely several reasons for the overall decline: (a) high water levels thus reducing cattail habitat; (b) a huge increase in the extent of highly invasive Phragmites, choking out some of the high quality habitat Black Terns prefer; (c) some relatively minor loss of habitat due to farming.

American Barn Owl

Then:  The American Barn Owl was considered a permanent resident, and the first Ontario nesting record was at Charing Cross. Wood goes on to give details of other records of them nesting, being shot, or being observed, at many locales in C-K.

Now: a very scarce, very occasional resident. I have seen it on a couple of occasions, once at Shrewsbury in 1973 and near St. Clair NWA a few years ago where one was seen periodically by various people over the course of about three years (2006-2008). We managed to get it on the St. Clair NWA CBC those three years. I do not have any photos, other than in my memory. In spite of searches, its roosting spot was never determined. There have been a few other records in C-K over the years, but details have been kept quite secret due to the potential disturbance by numerous birders who would descend on them in order to add the species to their life list.

Snowy Owl

Then: Considered an irregular winter visitant, but the numbers fluctuate. Even as recent as in the first part of last century, birds of various species were shot for the taxidermy trade, or whatever, and this owl species was a common target. Wood goes on to say that the winter of 1945-46 was the heaviest visitation in recent years, and " Twenty birds were definitely known to have been shot in the vicinity of Chatham and hunters told of many others killed and left in the fields." An unfortunate entry.

Now: up until recently the species was still considered an irregular winter visitor due to the cycle of breeding success, which in itself, was based on the population of lemmings and other rodents available to them during the nesting season. Abundance of food was a critical factor in the courtship display and therefore nesting activity and success. When larger numbers of young were raised, more would migrate south to survive the winter. Those cycles continued, more or less, up until 2010, where for the St. Clair NWA CBC, 1-3 birds would be seen in successive years, and then missing them for one or two years. However beginning in 2011, Snowy Owls have been seen each year, with sometimes a dozen or more birds being counted. The 2022 CBC had an incredible all time high of at least 23 owls recorded. The Blenheim/Rondeau count has shown a similar trend, although overall in smaller numbers except for an amazing 26 birds reported in 2014. This trend begs the question of what changes occurred in their breeding territory to presumably make their food source more readily available.

Short-eared Owl

Then: This species was described as an irregular winter visitant and very rare summer resident. However there were some incredible numbers given for them at times, as about 50 were reported at St. Luke's Marsh (immediately to the north of SCNWA) in March of 1940, and in January of 1943, there were about 100 birds reported there! There was only one confirmed nesting record known at the time, in June 1944, in a large pasture in the former Raleigh Township.

Now: While Short-eared Owls continue to appear in late fall, through the winter and into early spring, it is rare to see even one bird without a lot of effort during those times. Clearly their numbers elsewhere have fallen off so that there are few to appear in C-K during these non-breeding seasons. Getting 1-3 birds is at best, the norm for CBCs in the area, and in some years one does not get them at all. There have been some blips in these numbers, as an amazing 24 were tallied on the Blenheim/Rondeau CBC in 2010.

There is breeding habitat present, especially in the vicinity of the larger marsh complexes associated with Lake St. Clair. The amount of pasture or hayfield habitat elsewhere in C-K has declined in the last few decades, although some remains. However there have been no breeding records at any level for either of the first two OBBAs.

Chuck-will's-widow

Then: considered hypothetical, based on a single encounter in a woodlot in the former Raleigh Twp in 1920.

Now: Currently a very rare species, although in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was heard and seen annually at Rondeau. Indeed on one occasion there were up to 7 birds calling at various places along Harrison Trail both north and south of the Visitor Centre. It is believed that at least some of those birds were the progeny of the previous year or two. However in spite of efforts to try and locate any nesting evidence, this very cryptic species was never confirmed. There have been occasional records since that time, but very rarely, and almost entirely in May/June.

Whip-poor-will

Then: Considered as a common spring and fall transient and a rare summer resident.

Now: It is a regular spring migrant, but never common. A few can be heard under the right circumstances at Rondeau, for a couple of weeks in late May/early June. On occasion one or more will continue well into the breeding season, as they can be heard from the wooded ridges east of the Marsh Trail as well as along Harrison Trail. No doubt some have attempted to nest, perhaps successfully, although confirming this crepuscular creature would be difficult. The above photo was taken on Nov 4, 2012, of a bird high up in a White Pine along the South Point Trail. It is late in the season for an insect eating bird!
  

Common Nighthawk

Spring migrant

Autumn migrant

Then: it was considered an abundant summer resident, commonly nesting on flat, tarred and graveled roofs in cities and towns.

Now: while it is a regularly occurring species, it is anything but abundant. The open pine forests they breed in farther north are not available to them in C-K, so any attempts at breeding would still require the flat, tarred and graveled roofs. One used to be able to detect their 'boom' in the evening in cities and towns but not recently. Undoubtedly a few spring arrivals remain to at least attempt to nest. There were several atlas squares in both of the first two OBBAs recording them up to the 'Probable' level, but no 'Confirmed' records. Common Nighthawks are typically a bit more common in the autumn as they migrate southward from more productive breeding grounds.

 

Birds of Chatham-Kent, Then and Now, will continue in a future post.

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Birds, birds and more

It is a great time of year to be out. Birds are about at their peak of diversity. In Chatham-Kent, the general Rondeau area is the place to be (with all due respect to the many other natural areas in C-K).

Just a few days ago, the Keith McLean Conservation Area just outside of Rondeau hosted a couple of relatively rare water birds: American Avocet and Willet. The views were quite good in spite of the distance, with a 'scope. Not so good for photos, unless one wanted to go around the wetland and risk spooking the birds. Shorebirds are unpredictable. Sometimes they can be quite tolerant of humans and other times they spook easily. I chose to stay back to ensure they didn't spook and deprive others of getting a look at these birds.

American Avocet

American Avocet with Willet on the far left

Willets showing their wing pattern

 There are lots of other birds to see at this conservation area, and I'm sure that now some rarities have been found, birders will not hesitate to check it out more often. It was a great spot to see a diversity of waterfowl a few weeks ago. Over 140 species have been recorded on eBird to date.

Caspian Tern

The north end of the park has been quite good these last few days, as it is slightly warmer with more insect activity to attract birds. It is also the narrowest part of the park, which allows the birds to be more concentrated than at the more difficult to access and cooler south end.

Summer Tanagers, a southern rarity which occasionally shows up, is present in surprising numbers. There are probably up to 5 birds in the park and include both males and females. Perhaps this is the year that a pair bond will form, and maybe the first confirmed nesting record for Ontario.

 The Norway Maples which are in flower are a great spot to find insect eating birds, if you can see through the density of flowers and developing leaves. Cedar Waxwings have not been very abundant lately, but are starting to show up.

 One or more White-eyed Vireos, a more southern specialty, were cooperating, along with both its Red-eyed and Warbling relatives.

White-eyed Vireo

 Someone had spotted this Eastern Screech Owl fly in to this clump of leaves in an oak. It was hard to get an unobstructed view of the bird, made even more difficult with the harsh back lighting.

 A few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are still around, but will be disappearing shortly for places farther north.

 Yellow Warblers are the most common warbler species. It is hard to believe that back in the 1970s this species was on the Audubon Blue List as a rare and declining species to watch out for.

 Sandhill Cranes have been seen regularly flying in or out of the park, heading to or from the marsh.

Elsewhere in the park was this Eastern Whip-poor-will resting in a cluster of small branches along the Tuliptree Trail. One is much more likely to hear them singing their distinctive song in the twilight hours than actually seeing them. This one was fairly high for the species. Normally they seldom roost more than a couple of metres off the ground, or sometimes right on the ground. This one was up at least 6-7 metres.

Other wildlife was visible, and gave photo ops.

A trip to the Erieau Rail Trail resulted in a few birds. There was an abundance of White-throated Sparrows, and I was fortunate to find a Lincoln's Sparrow that cooperated.

This Sora was quiet and behaved in typical rail fashion by skulking furtively in the cattails and Phragmites.

The Blenheim Sewage Lagoons are always worth checking out. Sometimes you get something rare, and sometimes you don't, but there is often a good diversity of water and land birds.

Dunlin in the sprinkler cell

Palm Warbler in the cedars

A trip to the Tilbury Sewage Lagoons is another local sewage lagoon option. The water levels are high so it doesn't currently have the same appeal for shorebirds. For some reason even the waterfowl are not as abundant here. But one can usually find something of interest. Black-crowned Night-Herons follow the creek system to this spot.

 A Beaver lodge is visible along the creek system.

A Great Egret wanders around the berm with trucks on Hwy 401 zooming by in the background.

A bit of a surprise was to see a flock of 36 dowitchers fly in and land on the shrubby/rocky bank. At first I wasn't sure whether they were Long-billed or Short-billed.

They are probably most difficult to separate at this time of year based on their plumage characteristics, and one has to rely on their call notes. The characteristics overlap, and some birds exhibit Long-billed characteristics and others exhibit Short-billed characteristics. It is possible that both species were present. I am not sure how often they travel in mixed flocks, but it happens. The vocalizations were not as clear as I would have liked, due to my hearing as well as the steady flow of traffic on the nearby highway. However I would lean towards most of these being Short-billed Dowitchers.

scaly back with bright white feather tips typical of LBDO

clear, unspotted throat and upper chest typical of SBDO

A swing by the Jeannette's Creek area and the Thames River brought some nice sights. Turtles are abundant and quite visible now that warmer, sunnier days are here. Most logs and other basking sites are crowded with either Painted or Map Turtles. The latter species is considered a Species At Risk in Ontario, although seeing them in the abundance here there is certainly no shortage of them in the lower reaches of the Thames River and its tributaries!

 While I was waiting for a train to pass at the south end of the Jeannette's Creek boat launch area, a Black-crowned Night-Heron flew in right along where I was parked, and proceeded to fish. I got lots of photos of it in action, which I may devote a future post to.

And there are still Snowy Owls around. One sees them posted on eBird almost daily, from various places in C-K and adjacent municipalities. This one was 'shot' on a post along Hwy 40 just south of Wallaceburg.