Hi all,
Several flocks of birds including ~20 White-winged Crossbill flew over
as we assembled at GB Sobey's on a cool but sunny morning. 12 vehicles with ~
20 participants proceeded to the end of River Road as the main beach is closed
until spring for 'enhancements' - major construction/landscaping. We scanned
the lake and found 2/3 Red-throated Loon with one eventually coming fairly
close. As predicted the wind had turned to the east and there was relatively
little movement of waterfowl/gulls etc, but we did see 3 distant Tundra Swan
southbound.
Our 2nd stop was at the GB lagoons on Mollard Line south of #81, where
we walked to the third one seeing some 14 species of waterfowl, including a
Cackling Goose, some Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup, a few Gadwall and
Long-tailed Duck, 1 White-winged Scoter(!), 12/15 American Coot and ~80
Bonaparte's Gulls. 2 Pine Siskin, 2 Am. Goldfinch and a mixed blackbird flock
flew over and we saw 2 Song Sparrow here.
On the way to Greenway Road several Horned Lark were seen and we left 3/4
cars at the Lambton Cty. Her. museum to reduce the convoy in PPP. At our 1st
stop at the big burn, north of Burley bridge we located both juveniles and an
adult Red-headed Woodpecker, while a Red-tailed hawk soared over us. It was
quiet at the bridge but Blake Mann was able to hear a Swamp Sparrow and a group
photo was taken. I spotted a Ruffed Grouse sneaking off the roadside a bit
before the Nippissing Beach trailhead - most of us were able to get some decent
views of it as it hopped up on a log before flying off. The feeders at the VC
were not as busy as the 'facilities' but we got House Finch and Tufted Titmouse
here, before a 'gate party' lunch in the parking lot enjoying the sun. We drove
to Beach area #9 (no Pacific Loon) but Donald Pye spotted a soaring Bald Eagle
with 2 Red-tailed Hawk and a female Purple Finch landed near us.
Driving towards Kettle Point Blake heard Pine Siskin. Along Ipperwash
beach we saw a White-winged and several female Black Scoter, a Killdeer as well
as an ad. and juv. Great-black-backed Gull. An adult Bald Eagle was perched out
on the point and we found ~40 Black-bellied Plover and a Dunlin on the shingles
- some of the plovers were quite active giving us great looks at their black
axillaries. En route south we all watched a female Northern Harrier(possibly
same bird that BM saw over the lake from our first stop). As we played hide and
seek with several Horned Grebe , 2 sub-adult Bald Eagles put on an aerobatics
show.
Cedar Cove was our next stop, where we re-found the ad. Lesser
Black-backed Gull with many Horned Grebe, a closer Common Loon, Common
Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, Hooded Merganser and the 5th. Bald Eagle of the day
flew by. A Painted Lady butterfly was nice to see.
We were down to 5/6 vehicles at the Forest lagoons where we saw 10
Green-winged Teal and the only Double-crested Cormorant of the day.
Thanks to all the participants from near and far for their participation
and contribution to a very enjoyable day of birding, walking and talking.
Cheers! Maris
Maris Apse 10094 Red Pine Road, Box 22, RR #2 Grand Bend ON N0M 1T0 (519)
238 - 8415
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