Autumn warmth continues, as does the bird migration

 The unseasonable warmth continues, but birds are migrating nonetheless. Bald Eagles are both resident, and migratory. Here an adult is passing through, visible from the Mitchell's Bay North Shore Trail...

...while this sub-adult is also on the wing.

The water levels of Lake St. Clair are down considerably over the last couple of months. This first photo shows the view from the observation point closest to the lake, in early August.

This next one shows the same area, but on November 2.

Clearly there is a lot more exposed mud, which can be attractive to shorebirds. Normally I wouldn't consider this trail to be especially good for shorebirds, but they are making use of it this year. I've shown a few species seen on previous visits, in previous posts, such as Wilson's Snipe and Lesser Yellowlegs. Killdeer are fairly common, of course, and a few Greater Yellowlegs have been noted.

Great Egrets are usually fairly reliable throughout the season. I had at least a dozen on the last visit, but they were a little way up the shoreline, so not the greatest photo of individual birds....

...unlike the much closer proximity they were earlier in the season.

Turkey Vultures are still going through on their migration out of the province, but in much smaller numbers than even a week or so ago.

A visit to St. Clair NWA is always worth while, although the birds are often a challenge to get good photos of. Northern Harriers dip and dive fairly low to the marsh, so are hard to grab and maintain good focus.

This adult Red-tailed Hawk swooped by, but then hung out in the trees along the edge of the NWA. It was suspicious of me sticking my telephoto lens out the vehicle window.

Swans are building in numbers, such as these Tundra Swans. Soon there will be hundreds, even thousands in the area.

Here are a few things I have 'shot' with my camera in other locations. This first image shows a Black-bellied Plover feeding on the mud at Keith McLean Conservation Area, with a Killdeer for size comparison.

 A lone Ruddy Duck was in the more open water at McLean's. There are lots elsewhere!

 

With the warmth continuing, butterflies are still around feeding on flowers that continue to have blooms. This is a Clouded Sulphur.

Next is a Dunlin I photographed along the Erieau shoreline. I had hoped to see a Purple Sandpiper, but it was too windy and wavy on the pier where it had been seen the day before. It had probably escaped to the more sheltered side of the South Beach of Rondeau, a short distance away.

This Great Blue Heron was nicely posed on a dead tree overlooking the marsh along the Erieau Rail Trail.

I've been hiking in a few places at Rondeau, mainly to enjoy the autumn colours and get some fresh air and exercise, as well as remember times here with Marie . The colours are quickly winding down, as the windy conditions especially of late have blown a lot of the leaves off.

I came across this Northern Brown Snake sunning along the same trail. It is also known as a Dekay's Snake.

And working their way in between cottage lots, were a couple of Wild Turkeys. They seem to have had a productive year this year, as 3-4 are seen fairly regularly

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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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