Some early autumn outings: birds, herps, leps and odes

 The autumn weather so far has been a boon to birds, and birders alike. I have spent a few outings exploring some of the wetland areas along Lake St. Clair. The skies at sunset can be impressive, especially when there are myriad individuals of waterfowl in the air. This first image was taken from the trail at St. Clair NWA. There were almost always some groups of waterfowl in the air nearby, but I was taken with the larger numbers of them almost continually flying along the shoreline. It was a beautiful sight.

Waterfowl of various species are building in numbers and diversity. On one or more outings to SCNWA, I was treated to the following.

Mallards are by far the most common duck.

A bit of a surprise was a group of three Trumpeter Swans, two of which are shown in the next two images. I first saw them from afar, but as they emerged from an open part of the marsh, circled around and flew by in a good range and in good light.

Trumpeters are not common here in the southwest, although they have been around in slightly increasing numbers in recent years. Given the time of year when the much more likely Tundra Swan is around, a little more careful look shows the broad black area in front of the eye, and no yellow colour on the bill.

Right about the same time, Tundra Swans are showing up, with several dozen being in view during my last outing. Here you can see the narrower black area in front of the eye, and a spot of yellow on the bill.

The next photo shows a family of three Tundras, with a young bird on the left. Being mixed in with Canada Geese, is a good size comparison. There was a good variety of other waterfowl species mixed in and widely scattered amongst the geese and swans.

There are other birds to see while being out and about. American Tree Sparrows, next, are increasing in numbers.

A sub-adult Bald Eagle was soaring high overhead.

A Red-tailed Hawk was also noted flying through.

A few White-crowned Sparrows were observed right along the trail.

There are usually a few non-birdy things to enjoy, especially given the sunny, mild weather. Common Buckeyes are fairly common this year, and always nice to see.

Leopard Frog

Next is a young Northern Water Snake, which was reluctant to move off of the sunny trail.

Up along the Mitchell's Bay North Shore Trail, there are more of the same types of things, but with its own variety. Great Egrets continue, although the numbers are gradually declining.

I came across this Long-billed Dowitcher feeding along the muddy shoreline. It is very similar to its relative the Short-billed Dowitcher, but the gray tertials and the split eye-ring are helpful.

The occasional Monarch is still flying through. Many I have seen look rather worn, but this individual looked quite fresh.

In some of the dead trees not far off the trail, there can be dozens and dozens of Tree Swallow taking a rest in between forays out over the marsh prowling for insects.

This pair of Wilson's Snipe was along the muddy shoreline, but didn't linger before disappearing behind some vegetation.

I have been out to Rondeau on several occasions, but mainly to chat with the park staff, deliver some canvas prints of things relevant to Rondeau and to follow the change in colour of the forest. More on that in a future post. The Visitor Centre is currently open Thursday-Sunday. 

I have managed to photograph a few other things, as follows:

Dragonflies were fairly abundant along the trails, on those bright sunny days. Here a male Autumn Meadowhawk is resting on the boardwalk.

There were a few less brightly coloured females as well. This one is munching on a midge, and allowed me to get fairly close.

Blue-headed Vireos were scattered here and there....

...Brown Creepers were seen on occasion.

Another Common Buckeye!

I have seen a few Eastern Bluebirds. This one was perched in the shade with a bright background. I tried to pull out as much detail as I could in the processing.

Eastern Phoebes, even though it is a flycatcher, will likely be seen into December depending on the weather.

An Eastern Gartersnake was enjoying an open sunny spot along one of the trails.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are quite plentiful, although challenging to photograph due to their constant, rather frenetic, activity.

Turkey Vultures have been passing through steadily, in some impressive numbers. Many are quite high up...

...but on occasion one will be quite low.

Certainly the most abundant warbler to be seen is the Yellow-rumped Warbler. Some will likely be present all winter.

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Birds, birds, birds (mostly)

 There have been some quite satisfying bird photography opportunities lately. The unseasonably mild weather has likely contributed to the birds that had recently arrived, to stick around a little longer.

I've made several stops at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, where shorebirds and others have been fairly diverse. One of the ongoing highlights was one or more Wilson's Phalaropes that have been seen most often in the sprinkler cells.

It is a regularly occurring species, both spring and fall, but not always easy to catch up to with the camera. At first it can blend in with the abundant Lesser Yellowlegs, although a closer look shows that it is a bit smaller, has duller yellowlegs, a finer bill and generally for its size, looks a bit chunkier. Plus it has a whiter, breast area.

As rare as it has been for quite a few years, it has been recorded nesting here. That was back in the late 1970s or early 1980s, when the maintenance of the berms wasn't quite what it is now, and a pair of them nested successfully on at least one occasion. I was able to photograph it from a blind at the time, as shown in the next photo. 

For a bit of comparison, here are two of the yellowlegs species. The Lesser Yellowlegs, the three closest birds to the camera, are smaller than the Greater Yellowlegs which stands taller, is chunkier and has a heavier bill.

When you see them individually rather than side by side, especially if they are at a bit of a distance, it should cause an observer to take a more careful look to decide which species it is.

Greater Yellowlegs

Just to add a bit more of a challenge is when a Solitary Sandpiper is seen nearby. Upon first glance, especially at a distance and not in ideal light, it may appear to be similar to a Lesser Yellowlegs. But a closer look reveals the white 'spectacles', a slightly heavier bill and legs that are at best, a dull yellowish green. They never seem to be traveling in groups of any size, just one or at the most two at any time, which adds credence to the name 'Solitary'.

Other shorebirds that I have photographed at these lagoons recently include these Pectoral Sandpipers,

...and the even smaller Least Sandpiper. This first year bird is distinguished by it rufous back feathers and greenish yellow legs, the latter of which are somewhat visible in the first photo....

....but since they are often in deeper water, the colour of the legs is not always visible. The fairly similar Semipalmated Sandpiper (not shown) is a bit bigger than the Least, and has obviously black legs.

Dowitchers are periodically seen, although not often very abundant. At this time of year, it is typically the Long-billed Dowitcher. Not that the Short-billed Dowitcher has a much shorter bill; the lengths can sometimes overlap. But the Long-bill shown here, has a less barred flank, and grayer tertial feathers most obvious on the lower back when it is not in flight.

Here is a comparison with the Long-billed Dowitcher standing between two Lesser Yellowlegs.

Generally speaking, shorebirds are fairly tolerant of one or two people looking at them, if movements are slow and methodical. However when something like a Northern Harrier or Peregrine Falcon swoops by, the shorebirds will get quite lively and scatter. 

Northern Harrier

Peregrine Falcon

 Sometimes the shorebirds will return, but often they will settle down at another part of the lagoon complex. Given that there are lots of raptors migrating at this time, I expect that some of them are hoping for an easy meal, but at other times, are just practicing their hunting skills, especially the first year birds.

The waterfowl diversity is increasing as well, and on my last visit I came across a small number of Redheads at the lagoons, the first time this autumn season.

A visit to the Erieau Marsh Trail gave me the opportunity to see a few birds, but photographic opportunities were few. An Osprey was seen feeding on a fish in a distant tree....

....and a Northern Harrier cruised by, presumably hoping to scare up some small bird it could catch.

A couple of Great Blue Herons were feeding, or trying to stave off the unseasonably warm heat.

The same bird as above, was sometimes in this position. I am not sure whether it was trying to cool off, or more likely, giving the sunlight a chance to clear its wings of any little critters hunkered down in the heron's feathers.

A little farther along, this heron spent most of its time with it bill open, and breathing hard it seemed.

A visit to St. Clair NWA wasn't overly productive from a bird photography perspective. There were lots of Canada Geese in the air, as usual.

In some of the shrubbery along the trail, there were lots and lots of small birds, including a couple of Eastern Phoebe....

....numerous sparrows of different kinds, including Song Sparrow,  Swamp Sparrow and my first of the season White-throated Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow.

Song Sparrow

Another flycatcher or two was seen, but not heard. I ended up calling it a Trail's Flycatcher, which is a combination of Willow and Alder Flycatcher, which are very difficult to separate unless they are singing.

There were not many warblers that I saw, but this Yellow-rumped Warbler popped into view for a short time.

 

A pair of Sandhill Cranes came by and landed in the marsh....

...but a short time later, decided to move elsewhere.

 With the warmth, it resulted in a few butterflies flitting about, such as this Eastern Comma.

Leopard Frogs were abundant, with a couple of dozen or more hopping along or across the trail.

I often include a visit to the Mitchell's Bay North Lakeshore Trail after a time at the SCNWA. There were the usual things.

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Ring-billed Gull

A European Starling posed for me.

A bit of a surprise was to see about 150 Tree Swallows, busily foraging over the shoreline vegetation or settling onto the branches of a dead tree. This photo shows a very small number.

While I was watching, a Merlin came flying past, scattering the swallows in every direction. Some returned, but not many.

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