Today's outing to Pelee was particularly rewarding perhaps not so much from an aspect of seeing lots of rare or new birds but from having rewarding experiences in the woods.
These rewarding experiences began at my doorstep in Lasalle. To explain I live very close to the busiest road in Windsor, a 4 lane monster leading to the Canada-US border. The area is noisy with lots of truck traffic and here beside the parking lot and some 60 feet from this major hiway is a lone Chipping Sparrow. I stood on my concrete porch watching him sing from about 10 feet away. Seeing this fellow amidst the starkness of man made artificiality was very reassuring. Of the many birds today the ones that stand out are a Brown Thrasher at the tip, two quick views of a Bald Eagle through the trees along the Woodland Trail. Yellow Rumped Warblers were quite visible at the Tip, Woodland and Tilden Trails. I found one Dark Eyed Junco having not seen one for about two weeks. There were lots of White Throated Sparrows about today rustling away in the undergrowth. I know this is about birds but along the Tilden Trail I came across three white tailed deer. I was able to approach a male, with button antlers poking out, to within about 20 feet or so. I stood watching him and a doe, and they watching me, for about 5 minutes before leaving them to forage. The highlight of the day came at the end. I stopped at an outlook along the main road near to the entrance. There were swarms of those small midges or gnat insects at the water's edge. A group of about 200 Tree Swallows were patrolling the shore. I stood on the platform while this large group of birds passed back and forth catching insects. They frequently passed within a few feet of me. Several times I would be surrounded by the group, perhaps 20 or 30 birds within a radius of 30 feet or so. The procession would take 10 or 15 seconds to pass by me. They would fly left, right and above me as I stood on the platform. It was thrilling to be there alone amongst all these birds, watching them head right towards me and then swoop past me continuing down the shoreline. The reflections of the birds on the water in the waning light of the day added to magic of this moment. Well I hope I have not been to poetic for the hard core birders out there. I just wanted to share my experiences today with those that would be interested. Take Care, Mark Conlon Lasalle, Ontario "Mark Conlon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
