Down By The Sarnia Bay:

When the ice melted, I ventured down to the Sarnia Bay on Jan. 29th. I didn't realize that the Common Loon which has been present for much of the winter was still in the area. It stayed fairly close to the boardwalk while diving and hunting for fish.

Some American Coots have been present at the Bay. This species was new to me for the year.

The diagnostic white bill is more noticeable in this closer bird.

Young male Common Goldeneye

Lots of Red-breasted Mergansers were swimming in the open water. One pair swam towards me and I noticed the male's bill was upturned. He seemed healthy and not bothered by the slightly irregular bill.

 A Few Feathered Friends!

Visiting the birds at Pinery Provincial Park is definitely a "Happy Place" for me! I can't resist the inquisitive little faces of Black-capped Chickadees.

A fresh snowfall created a beautiful backdrop!

Although the temperatures were reasonable, a snowshoe through deep snow along the Pine Trail helped to warm us.

Tufted Titmouse

For the first time in several years, White-breasted Nuthatches landed for food hand-outs. In my recent experience, these nuthatches have watched where other birds cached sunflower seeds, then proceeded to take the cached seeds for themselves.

Waiting in line!

Recent Pileated Woodpecker activity.

Someone wants a close up!

Looking towards Lake Huron, January 21st.

 Canatara Birds in January:

American Robins have been staying in Sarnia Lambton through the winter for many years. The mild start to this winter season may have inspired more to stay. Berries are an important source of food for them at this time of year.

A pair of American Tree Sparrows hunted for seeds in the dune grasses close to the Lake Huron shoreline.

Carolina Wren

A "feeding stump" has become a popular spot for birds during this cold snap. The Black-capped Chickadee's wing feathers appear translucent in the photo.

Mourning Dove, weathering the storm.

Downy Woodpecker eating Staghorn Sumac fruit.

Mallards before the last arctic freeze.

Ring-billed Gull scouring the shoreline for food.

 An Owl on an Afternoon Drive!

A Long-eared Owl at the edge of a brush pile was a very unexpected find recently. They prefer a combination of grassland or other open country for foraging, and dense tall shrubs or trees for nesting and roosting. Perhaps this individual had been scared off its regular day-time roosting spot. It is the first time we have ever seen one that wasn't sheltered within dense coniferous trees.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Long-eared_Owl/id

He turned and looked at us, showing his orange face.

Mice and voles are possibly hiding in the brush pile.

A flock of 33 Red-winged Blackbirds, primarily female, were feeding at the edge of a field. They had berries such as rose hips to feast on in the shrubs.

Red-winged Blackbird, female

An American Kestrel chose to stay perched on the line long enough for a photo! Unlike humans, birds can see ultraviolet light. This enables kestrels to make out the trails of urine that voles, a common prey mammal, leave as they run along the ground. Like neon diner signs, these bright paths may highlight the way to a meal!!

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

Farm Geese out for a walk in the snow!

 Naturally White!

Iceland Gull, Kumliens subspecies, with ice crystals forming on bill.

Ring-billed Gull soaring over water.

Ring-billed Gulls have been hunting low over water in their quest for food. I unexpectedly captured a photo with the gull's head under water.

As it emerged from the water, a small sample of food, probably a fish, could be seen in the bill.

Hanging out with the gulls for the past several days has been at least one Black-legged Kittiwake. As many as four kittiwakes were found one day just north of the Bluewater Bridges! Kittiwakes nest in colonies on cliffs of the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. They are true pelagic seabirds, spending virtually their entire lives on the open ocean and only touching land during the nesting season. They can sometimes be spotted on the Great Lakes during the winter months. Although I have never heard one call, their cry of "kittiwake" contributed to their common name.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-legged_Kittiwake/overview

Fresh snow provides opportunities to see the tracks of animals such as mice. 

Mouse tracks running over the surface disappeared when the mouse dove under the snow. The imprint of the tail can be seen between the feet. The tunnels created by the mouse as it moved under the snow are visible in the upper half of the photo, (above the dark hole). 

 Before the Snow:

In early January I joined some friends on a walk at Reid Conservation Area. The ground was very wet and we got quite muddy. Moving slowly, we were able to take a close look at our surroundings. Above is a Heart-shaped hole in loose bark!

I believe this fungus is called Asian Beauty. It is introduced in Canada.

Moss covering all sides of a stone. I guess it wasn't a rolling stone.😉

Moss covered logs

Moss Sporophytes, up close.

Splintered wood from a fallen tree.

Splitgill Mushroom

Turkey-tail

 January Birds in Flight!

Flocks of Snow Buntings are now being found locally. Some of these arctic nesters head to the Great Lakes for the winter. They are well camouflaged when foraging on the ground. Once they burst into flight, the black and white colours make them easier to see.

A pair of Tundra Swans decided it was finally time to head south....on January 15th. They were spotted heading south-west over Canatara Park.

Thousands and Thousand of ducks, mostly Redheads have been rafting on southern Lake Huron. The birds took to the air when a passing Bald Eagle flew into the area.

Once the current carries the rafting ducks closer to the mouth of the St. Clair River, they take flight, heading up the lake and land again. This "flight and float" pattern happens throughout much of the day.

Male, Common Goldeneye: Occasionally, individual ducks will fly a little closer to shore. 8-10 Common Goldeneye are regularly being seen off the Canatara beach.