Indigo Buntings at Ojibway

A recent twitter post from Ojibway Park indicated that Indigo Buntings were back on territory at the park, so I figured I would go and see if I could find some. As luck would have it, one of the first trees I inspected had several males chasing each other (possibly in an effort to set up breeding territory). I stood by quietly watching and noticing the birds would often perch on a nearby side tree out in the open. How awesome. I got 'smashing' views of these gorgeous birds with such little effort!

I walked away from these indigo beauties and then looked up into another large Oak in the Ojibway Prairie and again... stood by the tree in amazement. A non-birder may have just walked by this large tree, but to a birder, it was thriving with activity. A close inspection gave nice views of Cedar Waxwings, Orchard Orioles, Chestnut sided Warblers, Swallows, Eastern Kingbird and ... more Indigo Buntings! Not bad!

I also saw a fresh Black Swallowtail as well as a Six spotted Tiger Beetle, which is a pretty common bug you might notice on a nature path that always seems to stay 10 feet ahead of you as you walk.

The Tallgrass Prarie was a nice walk as well with songs of Wood Thrush, as well as many other birds filling the air. I had a brief view of a Canada Warbler... this bird has eluded me this year! Three brief views but no photos.

Good birding!
Dwaynejava

Birding with the Fam... Pt 3 of 3

My wife and I were wondering what to do this Saturday, I figured trying to ask her to walk a few paths at Pelee. Even though the weather promissed to rain, we went anyway and the rain held off.

We walked Tildens Trail which was quiet today when we walked through. I saw a sleeping Common Nighthawk, several Grey Catbirds, some Epidonax Flycatchers as well as a precious few warblers: Blackburnian, Chestnut sided and Magnolia.

We also walked the Marsh Boardwalk which was not very exciting. I must say though, the new boardwalk is beatifully constructed. Its almost worth walking to see the woodwork! I did see a nice, singing Swamp Sparrow but nothing too exciting beyond that.

Is this the peak of bird migration??? I've had a good month of May with some unique/cool birds, but I still feel like its been an uneventful season. Maybe I'm idealizing my memories from last year... but again, I've only seen one Black throated Green. I guess I should remind myself that hey... its about getting out and enjoying nature. One does not need to see 140 species in a single day to enjoy the ritual of spring migration. As long as we can get out there and breath fresh air and meet some great people. Take a good photo or two... thats what its about!

Good birding!
Dwayneajava

Hillman Marsh Birding in Mid May Pt 2 of 3

As of May 13th, I hate to say it, but I did not really hit a really nice pocket of warblers in any of my birding walks. I've seen great birds this May, but never really had that feeling of "wow... I don't even know where to look right now".

That all changed after arriving at Hillman.

As I had left the shorebird cell, I noted a small vireo in the wooded area between the shorebird cell and wetland cell. Then, a small group of American birders walked by me and one of them started pishing to see what was around. Yellow, Yellow rumped, Magnolia, Chestnut sided, and even Wilsons all came out with ease. A small blue headed vireo was also brought out. It was pretty awesome!

The birders were like, wow... that was great but then left. I lingered around though to see what else was around. Good thing, because I found a female Prothnotary, Cereulean, Blackburnian and Bay Breasted warbler in the next twenty minutes. I also saw a Canada & Blackpoll warbler. It was pretty amazing!

It would be nice if this female found the a male at Point Pelee and nested... Just fly 4km south!

This Bay breasted was very obliging. Staying in the same tree for the whole time. I walked away from him!

 Cerulean Warbler is #241 for me. An exciting, self-discovered lifer!

I soon after went home. Rondeau and this trip wiped me out!
Dwaynejava

St Clair NWA and Rondeau Birding Pt 1 of 3

As mid-May rolled around, I figured I would spend a day at Rondeau to change things up a little from the normal Pelee routine. I woke up super early and headed out to Rondeau... but at the last minute, I tried to see if my new GPS knew where St Clair NWA was. My query was quickly answered with both good and bad news. Yes, it new the spot, but a surprise was that it took alot of time to get there and then get back to Rondeau. Almost doubling the trip time. I did not see too many noteworthy birds at St Clair NWA... but I was only there for 30-40 minutes. I saw American Coot, but did not even see a single Great Blue Heron ... I did see a Black Crowned Night Heron outside the Nature Reserve in an irrigation ditch.

One nice thing about the trip was the discovery of a new observation tower. One has been missing for over two years.

I later made my way to Rondeau and paid a good part of $20 to simply enter the park. Is it me or is that a little expensive??? Rondeau was extremely quiet on the morning that I visited. Spicebush trail netted almost nothing other than RB Grosbecks and yellow warblers. Tulip Tree trail produced a single Swainsons Thursh and distant sounds of what must have been Pileated drumming.

 This Purple Finch was with a few females. Sadly, his other eye seemed to be impaled/diseased.

 Pine Siskin have been refered to as American Goldfinch in Camoflage.

A Mourning Warbler was spotted, and later a Black Billed Cuckoo thanks to some photographers that caught my attention as I was leaving the park.

I left Rondeau before noon to maybe try my luck at Hillman/Pelee.

Good Birding,
Dwaynejava