50 Bald Eagles at Peche Island?

Bald Eagle Aerial Dogfight!

These Eagles were fighting over fish, four at one point, right in the middle of the Detroit River between Windsor and Peche Island.

Just a quick posting. Yesterday I stopped by Lakeview Marina in East Windsor where Lake St Clair enters the Detroit River. Peche Island is a small natural park which is surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of mergansers, ducks, swans, herons, geese, and Eagles!

I counted 46 Bald Eagles at Peche Island on Thursday Jan 2nd. I went back today, and there were much less, perhaps 20. Below I have photos of a group of 20 on each side of the river, plus several more that were flying at the West end of Peche Island (these photos are from the east end of Peche Island, and the ice-jam on the mainland side of the river). I had two more as I drove home about 700m west of this vantage point.

20 Eagles along the mainland

20 more perched at Peche Island (more to the left and right)

Several Eagles in flight at any given point... 46 Eagles is a conservative count!

Considering the record numbers of Bald Eagles seen at HMBO this year, could this be a record for most populous group of Eagles in Ontario since the DDT ban?

Good birding!
Dwaynejava

Birding Hiatus Birding... In February

A few weeks ago, in early February, I had seen a White-winged Dove at Rondeau and a friend of mine (Jeremy Birder) asked me if I had seen the abundant Common Redpolls at the Rondeau Visitor Center. I honestly did not see any... and that bothered me! I recall on that last visit that I had stopped many times as I drove to see small flocks of... wait for it... American Tree Sparrows! So today, I took some time in the morning and went back to Rondeau Park to go birding. 


While driving through Tilbury, I saw three or so Red-tailed hawks along the 401. Hundreds of American Crows were seen as well. The road leading to Rondeau had an American Kestrel and Horned Larks. I could hear them singing as I drove! (Note: this was written on Saturday Feb 23rd)

At Rondeau, I stopped by Rick & Anne's Cottage, and they graciously allowed me to view their feeders, which are host to these elusive Common Redpolls I have been seeking. Sadly, just as I arrived, Rick mentioned that a Cooper's Hawk was perched directly above the feeders and spooked the birds that were feeding. I actually saw it buzz around back towards the visitor center. Great!  So I waited, and waited. Slowly, after what felt like over an hour, some birds returned. Cardinals, Blue Jays, Tree Sparrows, American Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse (mice?) , White breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wrens, more American Goldfinches... but no Common Redpolls. Just as I was about to give up on seeing them, I saw what I thought might be a House Finch, or perhaps a Purple Finch? No... my elusive nemesis bird ... a single Common Redpoll!

Just two or three of these arctic beauties made themselves observable to me, .... very fleeting looks, this one above stopped in at tree-top level for a second -- then vanished! Definitely not soul-satisfying views.

I attempted to find the Ross's Geese and Snow Geese at Rondeau, but sadly (and I see this more and more) there is no access to the shoreline. Every street that runs up to Rondeau Bay, with the exception of Brock Street in Shrewsbury, is chained off with "Private Property" and No Trespassing signs.  I couldn't even salvage a diagnostic photo. Also, I had my scope in my wife's car today ... it wasn't my day to see these

As a chance consolation, Kory Renaud texted me with a Snowy Owl Surprise at some intersection in Essex. Upon arrival, I searched and searched but came  up empty. All I had seen was two Horned Larks, and a flock of 20 or so Snow Buntings. Finally, I found the owl after scanning the field for a third time.

Distant, heavily cropped photo of a Snowy Owl. It is a heavily barred juvenile just left of center. Can you see him?

Good birding!
Dwayne

Bonus Pic:

Trumpeter Swan at Lakeview Marina in East Windsor (Lifer! #318!)

10 of the 20 or so Bald Eagles at Peche Island in East Windsor

On Hiatus...

 

After work on Friday, I stopped by Lakeview Marina. Not much happening this winter compared to the last two years at this time.  Last year, lots of rarities were spotted, but this year, the conditions are much different. Without a scope, I was really unable to find any rarities even though I did try with my 10x42 binoculars.

While looking out at the waterfowl, I realized Kelly M was looking out over the water we talked about the various birds around Peche Island. Several Bald Eagles were seen, along with four Great Blue Herons, some Swans, and thousands of ducks, mainly Common Mergansers. Some Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead along with others were present. Just as I was about to leave, Kelly pointed out the resident Fox which was trotting way out on the ice! (See photo above. Click photo to see full size. How often does one see a Fox with Mergansers?)

One must ask, how did a Fox get on Peche Island? Was it placed there in some ecological experiment, or did it swim or walk amongst the ice flows? I wonder how long a small island with only a few square KM's of surface area, (mainly Carolinean Forest) will sustain this cunning mammal?

Here, the Fox trots by two Great Blue Herons. Even though Fox is common, its been years since I've seen one! I guess my parents have a small Fox-den in their 5 acre field (in south Windsor) but I'm yet to see that one. Last Winter, instead of a Fox, a Racoon was often seen walking out on the ice looking for Shad fish.


I'm still really excited about seeing the Mountain Bluebird last weekend. What a beautiful bird. Last weeks posting was rushed as I was trying to put something up on my blog before submitting my 'MOBL Yes' posting to Ontbirds.  Photographing this Bluebird was pretty challenging. The bluebird below was about 30m away from the road, and I was in my car photographing them. Some challenges that morning included the fact that the birds were East of the road, so they were backlit. To accommodate, I increased exposure, and had to switch to manual focus because the camera cant really 'sense' a bird 30+ meters away on some corn stubble.

This gorgeous bird is not a lifer for me. I saw several Mountain Bluebirds in the Okanogan Valley this summer,  in what might have been the single best birding walk I've taken in my life. If you didn't read that posting, I recommend following the link. That might be one of my favorite blog entries on this blog, as well as the Lewis's Woodpecker story that precedes it.

Even though its backlit and a poor photo... Isn't it beautiful? Its Sky blue back with grey and white breast along with its calm demeanor make this a pleasure to behold. At one point, the two bluebirds were in a tree close to the road and I could hear them singing... How Awesome.

This range map from Allaboutbirds.org shows where Mountain Bluebirds are typically found. Other range maps in field guides show a little more of the eastward vagrancy these birds tend to do quite frequently (especially in Winter).

Image Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_bluebird/id/ac

You may have been wondering why this posting is titled: "Hiatus".

According to Dictionary.com:
hi·a·tus - [hahy-ey-tuhs] noun, plural -tus·es, -tus.

1. a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.

So, I'm going to honestly spend the next two months (February & March) focusing on my night-school commitments, and less time birding & blogging. I might try to get out if I have a good chance of seeing a lifer. Blake's posting yesterday which featured Common Redpolls and White winged Crossbills has me thinking of getting out to Rondeau (just as I announce my hiatus). Its tough for me to do this because I've been blogging at least weekly for two years in a row! I feel an obligation to post at least weekly!

Send me an email if you see any winter finches between Rondeau and Windsor! :-)


Good birding,
Dwaynejava

Birding Peche Island

 I did a quick two-hour kayak trip to Peche Island today. It was exciting to get out there for the first time in many months. It was birdy. No lifers or un-expected species but a nice listing of birds. Some firsts for the year etc.

 Wood Ducks were seen as well as Hooded Mergansers and Mallards. Many Canada Geese were around as well as some swans.

First Belted Kingfisher of the year. Two were seen. Many Northern Flickers were heard. Two Bald Eagles were seen, as well as a Sharp Shinned Hawk. Turkey Vultures glided overhead as well.

My first non-wintering Warbler of the year. This Yellow-Rumped Warbler was a welcome sight. I had a hard time pish-ing him into view from a thicket of branches.

Only one or two Yellow Bellied Sapsucker were seen. It was amazing how many trees were tapped for sap though. Its funny how much more observant I am this year than last. Last year I saw 4 YBSS all year. This year, I must be close to twenty just in the last week! This bird is a keystone species making life better for many other species. For example, I have read once that the sap-wells give food for Ruby throated Hummingbirds. Even today, I saw an Eastern Comma butterfly feeding off the sap, as well as many flies and insects. Incredible. (See this article about how pileated woodpeckers are keystone species as well)

 This Eastern Comma butterfly was enjoying the sap-tapped tree. The Yellow Bellied Sapsucker got a really nice flow from this tree. Drops of sap were pouring out.

 Tree Swallows were everywhere.

Bonapartes Gulls were flying by the Windsor Shoreline at Kayak Cove as I was leaving. About 50 flew right by me. I took several photos and even saw a juvenile BGs with the classic "M" pattern on its wings and back. Almost easily confused with the Black Legged Kittiwake we saw earlier in Jan this year, minus the black bar across the back of its neck.

Good Birding,
Dwaynejava

Kayaking & Birding Peche Island

A friend of mine, (a non-birder) told me that he saw a Common Loon on the Detroit River yesterday (in front of the Casino) so I was hoping to run into it today by kayaking Peche Island. I took a simple 1.5 hour kayak tour of Peche Island, with some time for a walk on the island. I think this is truly a hidden gem in Windsor, limited to just a few people that are interested (and have the boating resources) in that forested island 200m North of Riverside Dr.

Some birds seen:

Mallard
American Black Duck
Wood Duck
Swan
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Grey Gnatcatcher
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Barn Swallows
Common Grackel
Robin
Eastern Wood Peewee
Great Crested Flycatcher (heard)
Northern Cardinal
Baltimore Oriole
House Wren
Grey Catbird
Spotted Sandpiper

It was just so birdy at one point, I couldn't figure out where to point my camera. There was so much movement in to upper branches of the trees, it was incredible. I also think I heard a Carolina Wren, but I may be mistaken on that.

Just an absolutely wonderful place to kayak!

Good Birding,
Dwayne

Ganatchio Trail Rotary Club Extension & the Little River Corridor

I've biked/hiked/birded this wonderful park about 3 times this year. Its a great location if you are looking for a great walk or bike ride in Windsor's East side.


Here is a google map of this general area:


View Larger Map


Ganatchio trail follows Riverside Drive, but at this sign, you can turn right and go 'inland' to some beautiful parkland.

It would be nice to know the history of how and why this park was developed. From my minimal research, I've gathered that Rotary Club was a big part of this park's development.

The birding is pretty good. Over the three times I've come to this park, I've seen:

Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Great Egret
Yellow Warbler
American Goldfinch
Northern Flicker
Canada Geese
Malard Ducks
and the rest of the local usuals...

Northern Flicker, perched 10 ft away from the path. I took this with my point-and-shoot camera.

As you travel further inland, you pass several habitat types. Grassland/meadow, then man-made lakes and cat-tail wetlands. Then forest, meadow and more wetlands & lakes. It's very impressive!

You can also bring your Kayak to the parking lot across from Lily Kazillies and Kayak to Peche Island from Kayakers' Cove. The WECC group has done so much work to keep this little gem alive and thriving. The city just installed a drop off loop at Kayakers Cove so you don't have to carry your kayak across Riverside Drive. (http://www.weccc.org/)

Good Birding!
Dwayne

Kayaking Peche Island

(Photo Credit: http://www.walkervilletimes.com/images/map-peche-island.jpg)

I've kayaked Peche Island twice this May, and I figured I would blog some photos and thoughts about the trip. It's quite a nice little two hour trip if you have a kayak.

Birding wise, I would say my two trips did not really blow me away. I was expecting to see some Herons, possibly a Bald Eagle or Osprey... but no such luck. Ojibway's website even posted news of some Black Bellied Whistling Ducks but I did not see those either.

I did see Terns, Downy Woodpeckers, nesting Yellow Warblers, Red Winged Blackbirds, 10+ Perching Wood Ducks, a few Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, Swans, and Northern Rough Winged Swallows (lifer). I also saw a Belted Kingfisher fly by in the distance.

Here are some photos from the first of the two trips:

My birding endeavors have slowed down, but I would still like to make it out to St Clair NWA to try to see some  Least or American Bitterns. But... I almost can't talk myself into going because of my first impression of the place when I visited it last summer. All I saw was 14' tall phramites. No observation deck... nothing to see or look at. Any thoughts on SCNWA?

Happy Birding!

Ducks ... What's a birder to look at during the Winter months?

In the fall of 2009, I read a really great book called: "A birders guide to Point Pelee (and area) by Tom Hince. I must have read this book 10 times since I've bought it. One of my favorite things about this book is it talks about the 350 or so birds that visit or live in our area and then graphs out the times of year that they are actually present.  Most birds migrate through our area going northward in May and return southward in September southward after breeding.

Much to my surprise, I learnt that many ducks hang out around our waterways in Essex county. So, I actually checked out some of the places that the book suggested, along with learning from several online sources about the location and types of birds that are present. The little parks along Riverside Dr for example "Goose Bay Park"... will have a few of the ducks below (December 27th)... The first photo below shows a pair of Hooded Mergansers and below them, a pair of Buffleheads! The males in these two species are of course the fancier ones.

I even went out to Point Pelee during my two week Christmas break. I find that when I go, there are no birds to be seen. I did see a few Cardinals, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Downy woodpecker and these Lesser Scaup on the East side of the point. Often times, you will see a 'floatila' of ducks, often a whole assortment of species. Below I provide a photo of Lesser Scaup Ducks as they eagerly paddled away from my human existence on the East Beach of Point Pelee.

Lakeview Marina often affords some sights of ducks in the winter as well... here is a photo I shot in late December as well... If you could zoom in to the photo below, you would see two Great Blue Heron and I would conseratively guess about 6 different species of ducks and geese and waterfowl.
Note: You can click the image below and see a large or closer view of the birds.