Sandpiper Surprise

I thought I would go to Greenway Park, November 23, 2022 for a walk along Thames River.  The weather was nice 7c and sunny.  A lot of Canada Geese and Mallards around. 

A very large Canada Goose

It was nice to see some Common Mergansers and Hooded Mergansers.  

Common Merganser

Hooded Mergansers

While looking at the ducks, I scanned the other side of the river along the bank.  I noticed something small moving and realized it was a Spotted Sandpiper.  I've never seen a Spotted Sandpiper this late in the season.  It was moving around and feeding like crazy.  I tried my best to take some photos along the river bank where the Spotted Sandpiper was moving along.  

Spotted Sandpiper

Not far from the Spotted Sandpiper, I saw something else.  It was a Wilson's Snipe!  I've never seen a Wilson's Snipe this late in the season.  They both blended very well with a background of leaves, branches and rocks.  I did get some photos but not great.

Wilson's Snipe

There was also a couple of Killdeers.

East London Area

Last week, I decided to go to Fanshawe CA.  I have not been there for awhile.  It was fairly quiet.  At the lake, a raft of Buffleheads...about 80 were together.  At the pond, a Great Blue Heron and lots of Mallards.  I didn't see anything at the Dam area.  At the Tamarack Trail, there were lots of Black-capped Chickadees.  I fed them seeds from my hand..they enjoyed the treats.  There were Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches and Dark-eyed Juncos.

Raft of Buffleheads

I went to a wetland off Fanshawe Rd.  It was kind of quiet there too.  There were some Mallards, one Canada Goose, lots of finches flying and feeding on the weed seeds along the walkway.  Also, sparrows.  It was nice to see a Fox Sparrow!

Belted Kingfisher

Fox Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

American Tree Sparrow

House Finches

I spotted a butterfly.....Clouded Sulphur Nov 8!

First Week of November 2022

I was out birding for a couple of days this past week.  The weather has been unseasonably warm with some fog several mornings. Greenway Park and Westminster Ponds were the places I visited.  I have been enjoying finding sparrows and finches - Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, House Finches, American Goldfinches and Purple Finches.  Also Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Dark-eyed Juncos, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Hairy Woodpeckers.   There has been a steady migration of American Robins through the week.

Great Blue Heron

Wood Ducks

Lots of Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings

Common Merganser - female

Double-crested Cormorant

Green-winged Teal

American Black Duck

White-breasted Nuthatch

Great Blue Heron

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Mourning Dove

Looking at the weather for next week, looks like another pleasant week for birding!