Balmy Week in April

The first week of April - The weather turned summer like - very warm, temperatures high in the mid-20s.  I saw my first turtles of the year and hearing frogs croaking.  More and more Tree Swallows were seen every day and some birds busy building their nests.

Eastern Meadowlarks

Osprey

Killdeer

Tree Swallow

Blue-winged Teal

Cedar Waxwings

Pied billed Grebe

Turkey Vultures

Bufflehead

Wood Duck

Lots of Painted Turtles!

It was nice to see a Virginia Rail at Westminster Ponds this week!  Very hard to find in the reeds.  This was my best shot.

Rondeau Park Visits

I went to Rondeau, Saturday, May 11, 2019 and Monday, May 13, 2019.

I saw some interesting birds but not in great numbers.  Both days were cool and cloudy.  I can't remember the last time I've been to Rondeau when it was sunny!  Some trails were muddy with some water.  Saturday was very busy with a lot of people around.   

At the beach access, I saw two Bald Eagles standing on the shore.  One of them had a fish.

The Eastern Screech Owl on Bennett Rd.

A few Trilliums were out but not a lot yet.

Turtles at Marsh Trail....Painted Turtles and a Blanding's Turtle.

Rondeau Park - May 13, 2019

It was a cool, 9c and overcast day.  I stopped at Keith McLean CA for the first time.  It a very nice area.  Went to the tower to view the marsh.  I didn't have my scope with me.  There were lots of Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows flying around, a Great Egret, Virginia Rail, and heard a Sora.  No Glossy Ibis.

Virginia Rail

Virginia Rail

At Rondeau Park, warblers I saw were Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Palm,  and an American Redstart.
I saw a Scarlet Tanager (FOY).  Apparently, Scarlet Tanagers were all over the place the day before.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

There were strong winds coming off Lake Erie.

Saw a few warblers - Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, and American Redstart.

Yellow Warbler

There was word that a Common Nighthawk was roosting at Harrison Trail so I went to have a look.

Warbler Way - saw an American Redstart, House Wren, Chestnut-sided Warbler, White-throated Sparrows.

American Redstart

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Dutchman's Breeches