Mish Mash of Birds!

We headed out on a sunny Monday morning in search of some rare Geese that have been spotted in different locations around west Lambton. We started at the Suncor Trail. We didn't find the geese but did find a lovely male Northern Pintail. Although we saw 3 Pintails earlier in January, this is the first time we have seen one at the site since then.

About 40 American Crows were in the field on the north side of the Suncor Trail. A few flew into nearby trees, then all left at once. We thought they had found a predator to chase, but they seemed to just be having a noisy party!

Despite the mild temperatures, it may still be awhile before the hard packed snow drifts melt.

American Tree Sparrow lurking in the reeds.

We heard a report that the Ross's Geese had landed at Hiawatha Race Track so headed there once we had completed walking the Suncor loop. Luckily for us, they were still at the race track upon our arrival! However, 10 minutes later, hundreds of Canada Geese, 9 Cackling Geese, and the Ross's Geese made a quick exit when a Bald Eagle flew past.

A diminutive version of the familiar Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose is also white with black wingtips, but it has a shorter neck, stubbier bill and a more rounded head. The 2 species seem to be hybridizing more frequently as a warming climate allows their breeding ranges to come into contact. Based upon an inflight photo (not shown), it is possible that one of the birds is a Ross's X Snow Goose Hybrid. 

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

Back at Canatara Park, some fluffy Cattail Seeds were blowing in the wind!

On Lake Huron, off shore of Canatara Beach, some Canada Geese were spotted standing on thin ice!

Female Purple Finch at Camp Saredaca.

American Robins have been digging for bugs in the thawing ground surface.

The iridescent colours on a Common Grackle glowed as he worked on defending his territory.

 Spring is Creeping Closer!

A male Red-winged Blackbird appears to be announcing, "Spring is Almost Here"! February 27th was our first view of the species in Canatara this calendar year and is my personal "harbinger of spring"! 

The first Common Grackles are also being found in the park! They are taller and longer tailed than a typical Blackbird. They have glossy-iridescent feathers. In flight their long tails trail behind them, sometimes folded down the middle into a shallow 'V' shape.

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

Up to 3 White-throated Sparrows have been found in Canatara throughout the winter.

I couldn't capture them both in the same photo, but a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches were hunting for food in Canatara Park. These long-billed, short-tailed songbirds travel through tree canopies with other winter birds but stay close to tree trunks and branches for food where they search bark furrows for hidden insects.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-breasted_Nuthatch/overview

It took me 2 months, but I finally saw my first Carolina Wren of 2026! This species is found locally throughout the year.

 A woodpecker has been practicing drumming and drilling skills on a Bat box.

Coyote on the run through Canatara. The Coyote is a remarkably hard runner, galloping along at 40 km per hour, but capable of reaching 64 km per hour.

https://www.hww.ca/wildlife/mammals/coyote/

I watched this Red-tailed Hawk fly in with prey but was not able to see what it was eating.

The weather was a little more reasonable on Saturday and the Alpacas at the Animal Farm were in the barnyard for a change.

 Striking Scoters and Cute Coots!

A visit to LaSalle Park Mariner scored us close looks at a pair of White-winged Scoters! In winter these birds eat mussels and can hold their breath for a minute or more underwater. They breed around lakes of the far north, where their diet changes to crustaceans and insects.

These large sea ducks have a heavy, sloping bill and bold white patches (which can sometimes be hidden) in the wing. Males are velvety black with an upturned comma of white around the eye and an orange-tipped bill.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-winged_Scoter/overview

Although it swims like a duck, the American Coot does not have webbed feet, and is not a duck.

An American Coot pair, sporting matching green plant life on their white bills.

Ring-billed Gulls resting on thin ice!

Wood Duck: First one we have seen in 2026!

View of Burlington Bay with Burlington Skyway in background. We wondered if there would be any open water at LaSalle Park, but it was open enough to keep the swans, geese and ducks happy!

Close up of a Trumpeter Swan. Each winter, a flock of Trumpeter swans travels to LaSalle Park until spring weather indicates its time to head north.

Video: Trumpeter Swan bath time!

A few Trumpeter Swans spent time in the air.

White-breasted Nuthatch awaiting his turn for food.

Hungry White-breasted Nuthatch

While photographing these Canada Geese, I totally missed the Bald Eagle which was the reason the geese took flight.

Lots of Rock Pigeons (feral pigeons)

Fun to watch "Ice Boats Sailing" on the Burlington Bay.

Video: Ice Boat Sailing on Burlington Bay.

Birds, Water and Icy Things!

Blue Jay with a special treat! It is surprising to hear how much noise they make when food is provided. If they were quiet, they likely wouldn't have to share.

Dark-eyed Juncos are also taking advantage of the backyard food source during this very cold winter.

Peregrine Falcon's have been nesting on the Michigan side of the Bluewater Bridge since 2005. Most years, young birds are successfully raised. As we were walking towards the bridge on Friday morning, the falcon flew through the structure and came in for a landing. It was my first view of this species in 2026.

Common Mergansers taking flight. What a difference a week makes! Last week the St. Clair River was full of ice. Today, most of the ice was gone. We will likely see more congestion as ice is expected to continue floating down from Northern Lake Huron.

There are a few places to pull over when driving down the St. Clair Parkway. When the car door slammed, all ducks took flight. One Redhead had the (fill-in-the-blank) scared out of him. (top middle). We were more careful with the doors at subsequent stops.

We saw over 3,500 individual birds - 15 species at this one stop along the St. Clair River.

Black-capped Chickadee eating berries.

Looking over Lake Huron from Canatara Beach.

Ice crystals in Lake Chipican.

Hoar Frost at Camp Saredaca.

My brother shoveled a skating maze on the north shore of Lake Superior. One morning, a beautiful sunrise added colour to the scene!