Ontario 2113 Roadtrip Summary

May 17-24 Ontario Roadrip

How can I sum up the Ontario portion of my 2103 roadtrip? Nothing could have prepared me for the variety of birds I encountered in Southwestern Ontario. There were a few familiar birds but most were newbies to me. Keep in mind that I had only birded in Western Canada and the U.K and I had never seen a Northern Cardinal or Bluejay!
Just for the record, I keep a diary of the birds with locations and dates and can now add fifty-two 'Lifers" to it.
Keeping records is the best way to re-locate species at a later date and keep a tally of the birds. Each new bird gives me the opportunity to study a particular species in more deail, its habits etc leading me to a greater understanding of birding and whole scheme of things.
So that's the end of this portion of the trip before continuing my journey by train to Churchill, Manitoba.
Why Churchill? A 60th birthday present from my son Christopher...thanks Chris. That will be my next post.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) at Rondeau Provincial Park.

I can't leave without thanking my host family Peter and Erika Braithwaite and their daughter Kait who hosted me while in Essex County. They are a wonderful family and for those who are making their way to Pelee Island they can contact me for more information about their wonderful cottage.

I photographed this Dunlin (Calidris alpina) at the Leamington Ferry Terminal whil waiting for the ferry to Pelee Island.

Good Birding

Pelee Island Essex County

May 16-17 Pelee Island. Sunny
When my hosts Peter and Erika Braithwaite suggested visiting their beach front cottage on Pelee Island my first response was "Are there any birds there"  I needn't have worried as Pelee Island is used by thousands of migrating birds as a stop over before arriving in Ontario. The one and half hour boat rip over is pictureque and invigorating, a pleasant break from the stifling heat of Point Pelee.
The Island is the most southerly inhabited part of Canada on the same latitude as Italy and Northern California. It is also the northernly edge of the forested and much depleted Carolinian Zone.
The island's forests, beaches, swamps and woodlands house some of Canada's most endangered species, many are only found on the island.
The forest floor was alive with Swainson's Thrush and the Prothonotary Warbler is found here and could be heard singing in the forested swamp. It is one of the few warblers to nest in tree cavities. Common in the USA but quite rare and hard to find in Canada. Only sixty pairs are known to nest in Canada. Point Pelee and Rondeau Provincial Park are also good spots to find this elusive warbler.
While on the beach one day a Snapping Turtle used the pounding waves to haul itself up onshore. The white sandy beach, the blue sky and a large turtle felt quite out of place, it's what makes Canada such a fascinating and surprising place to explore.
I also visited the Pelee Island Bird Observatory station and have a fascinating video and interview with founder and director Graham Gibson, which I will edit and post at a later date. His insights on banding are quite illuminating and thoughtful.

Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
What is this mockingbird doing? After much investigation it appears it is using its wings to dislodge insects. It then quickly dispatches them and moves on. I asked at the bird observatory as I thought it might be a courtship dance or it was just wet from flying across Lake Erie. The bird performed this action for at least thirty minutes obviously hungry after its journey.

(Birdus Nuttus) on the southern tip of Pelee Island.

A Snapping Turtle come on land to lay eggs.

Canada's southernmost point except for a tiny island inhabited by double-crested  cormorants

Pelee Island sunset from the Braithwaite cottage porch. Contact me for rental details. Nearest airport Detroit.

I only spent two days on the island but saw:
* Denotes Lifer
Red-bellied Woodpecker*
Common Nighthawk*
Great-blue Heron
Warbling Vireo
Yellow-shafted Flicker*
Indigo Bunting*
Swainson's Thrush
Canada Goose
Red-eyed Vireo
Grackle
Mockingbird*
Red-winged Blackbird
American Robin
Yellow Warbler
Baltimore Oriole
Prothanatory Warbler*

Critters
Painted Turtle
Snapping Turtle
Eastern Fox Squirrel
No mosquitos !!!!