Marveling the Bog

Sifton Bog ESA

Tuesday, May 14, I decided to go to the bog...haven't been there for awhile.  The first warbler I saw was my favourite - Black-throated Blue Warbler.  It was working on a downed tree. 

The first small pond had some Mallards and Canada Geese with goslings.  There were some turtles sunning. 

White-breasted Nuthatch

At the bog pond there were a nice group of warblers bouncing around. I also saw Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-bellied Woodpecker,  Catbirds, Wood Duck, Song Sparrows, Northern Flicker, and heard a Warbling Vireo.

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-and-White Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

The other warblers I saw were American Redstart, Yellow Warblers, and Palm Warbler.

The deciduous swamp has a lot of water. This is the most water I've seen for awhile.  It usually dries up in the summer months.

More turtles!

Painted Turtles

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

Birding the Coves

It was a cool morning, 9c with strong Easterly winds and sunny.
I first walked one part of the Cove and saw a nice variety of birds....29 species in total.  Baltimore Oriole, Turkey Vultures flying overhead, Wood Duck, Song Sparrows, Eastern Kingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, Red-winged Blackbirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and more.  I saw one butterfly - Red Admiral. 

American Goldfinch

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Black-and-White Warbler

Song Sparrow

Later in the morning, I went to another part of the Coves.  It was nice to see a Pied-billed Grebe.

A Double-crested Cormorant was sunning itself.  Being later in the morning...I was battling the sun taking photos.

A Green Heron flew in and landed at the other side of the Cove. 

Turtles were out sunning on the logs....lots of them.  I think I only see one species of turtles here - Midland Painted Turtle.

More turtles.

I don't see many wildflowers in the Coves...no Trilliums.

Purple Violets