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?