A 'Life Bird' and other 'Wings'!

A directionally challenged bird! Many birders from across the Province "flocked" to the North shore of Lake St. Clair to view a Gray Kingbird, normally found in Central America. It spent most of its time hunting for dragonflies and other insects from the wires, but occasionally flew into a bush or tree. Across the Caribbean basin, they are common yard birds, known for their bold behaviour, loud voice and consumption of pesky insects from backyard gardens. Like other Kingbirds, they have a large head and heavy bill.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Kingbird/overview

The Kingbird was spotted just outside the entrance to the St. Clair National Wildlife Area.  The property is closed until the end of the calendar year while reconstruction of a foot bridge leading to the trails is completed. The SCNWA is located 19 km west of Chatham and lies within the extensive marsh habitat that spreads from Mitchell's Bay to the mouth of the Thames River, along the SE shore of Lake St. Clair. Lake St. Clair and adjacent marshes are the most important staging area for waterfowl in Ontario, south of James Bay. The wetlands consist mainly of cattail marsh encircled by constructed dykes that mimic natural water-level changes. This area is located at the transition between two major migratory routes; the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways.

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/national-wildlife-areas/locations/st-clair.html

The presence of a Bald Eagle caused stress for the ducks below!

Hundreds of Canada Geese erupted in flight.

5 Sandhill Cranes flew overhead, bugling as they traveled!

Red-winged Blackbirds were gathering in very large numbers and could regularly be heard vocalizing.

American Bittersweet: The orange fruits are poisonous to humans when eaten, but are loved by birds.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/64538-Celastrus-scandens

Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen in high numbers, zigging and zagging across our path as we walked along the road boundary of the St. Clair National Wildlife Area. One stopped on the road for a snack hidden under the gravel.

Several Autumn Meadowhawks were in flight. They are a good source of food for the Gray Kingbird!

5 Greater White-fronted Geese had been reported the day before. We spent some time searching for them but it wasn't until later in our visit that we finally found them. We believe they had been resting in a neighbouring field before flying back to the wildlife area. They are stocky, brown geese found across the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, they are found mainly west of the Mississippi River.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose/overview

Mallards: We spotted a total of 50 bird species, including 9 species of ducks.

Northern Pintail

Tundra Swans

In our quest to find a picnic table after our morning birding adventure, we headed back to Mitchell's Bay and ate at the waterfront. Many Mute Swans could be seen in the distance in Lake St. Clair. Three easily startled Killdeer flew from one muddy area to the next. I don't think I've ever watched a Killdeer completely submerge its head before! Perhaps there was a good smorgasbord of food in the mud?

Local Finds!

Butterfly finding weather is rapidly disappearing. But on sunny days in sheltered areas, some surprises can still be found. While visiting Rock Glen Conservation Area, two Eastern Commas fluttered around the rotting apples at the top of the stairs. One of them landed on a top railing with fall colours in the background. This species will overwinter as an adult, tucked into crevices in logs.

An (uncommon) Common Buckeye flew past me on October 21st. at the Suncor Trail. Luckily I was able to follow it until it landed. This species has been difficult to find in 2025. I only saw 2 or 3 in all of 2025.

Suncor Trail on October 21st: The Suncor Nature Trail circles the perimeter of a Stormwater Management Pond. The pond temporarily stores water during rainfall events and releases it at a controlled rate, helping to reduce flooding and erosion. Stormwater management ponds also provide the habitat needs for countless species including many birds and butterflies.

https://www.sarnia.ca/stormwater-management-ponds/

Golden-crowned Kinglets are always very active as they search for food, but two of them bounced around at the trail edge, allowing for a few photos!

Golden-crowned Kinglet hanging upside down by his feet - a good way to find bugs on the underside of leaves!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets are smaller than Black-capped Chickadees!

Wawanosh Wetlands C.A. trail

Autumn Meadowhawk, sunning on a leaf.

Yellow-rumped Warbler - one in a migrating flock of 8 warblers.

Great Blue Heron on a lookout perch!

While walking through the Canatara beach parking lot, a Red-tailed Hawk flew past me and landed on a lamp post.

The hawk then flew to a nearby wooded area for a more protected hiding spot and a better chance of finding his next meal. However, Blue Jays quickly found the predator and noisily told the rest of the forest animals that a hawk had arrived!

Rusty Blackbirds can be identified by their squeaky call in the spring when their feathers are black. In autumn, the rusty coloured feathers make them easier to identify by sight.

A flock of 6 Wood Ducks circled lake Chipican, landed for about 60 seconds, and then continued on their way. 

A Mallard hen sat on the base of a fountain in the animal farm pond. She was enjoying "being in the spotlight"! The bright light was possibly providing some warmth.

Fall Colours in Canatara.

There's a new Alpaca at the Canatara animal farm! She was born on October 7th and has been named Tilly, short for Matilda.

Video: Tilly at play!

 Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Fall Colours were impressive along the Escarpment Trail. The Bruce Trail which connects Niagara Falls and Tobermory cuts through this Conservation Area.

Falling Maple leaf!

A Red Squirrel standing at attention, nicely matched the fall colours!

Maple Leaves on rotting log.

Emerald Ash Borer adults are only 8-14 mm in length, but this wooden carving is thousands of times life size. The Emerald Ash Borer was probably introduced to North America from China in the 1990’s. Larva tunnel under the outer bark which “strangles” ash trees. Several carvings along the trail bring attention to life in the forest including invasive/destructive species and endangered species.

https://treecanada.ca/resources/tree-killers/emerald-ash-borer/

Unknown Bird in the Hand.

Monarch Butterfly

Mushrooms and Fungi have been difficult to find this year because of the dry conditions. We managed to find a few mushrooms in the shaded forest at Crawford Lake C.A. including this Fly Agaric (Identification not yet confirmed.)

Dotted-stalked Suillus (identification not yet confirmed)

Trails are well marked.

Point Farms Provincial Park

Point Farms Provincial Park is located just north of Goderich. The park is closed after Thanksgiving weekend. We parked outside the gate and hiked a 6km loop to Lake Huron and back.

Upon entering a meadow area, we started finding birds including this Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

MANY tiny insects were flying in the air, providing an excellent source of food for the birds. (Tiny insect dots are visible in the air above the kinglet.)

White-crowned Sparrow

Lake Huron at Point Farms Provincial Park

Ring-billed Gulls were the dominant species at the beach. We were disappointed that we didn’t find any migrating shorebirds.

Lunch spot.

Unknown tracks in the sand.

A story book trail encouraged hikers to notice the natural world around them!