Pelee Island, Birding and Wildlife!

Southernmost Inhabited Point in Canada!

I joined a Worldwide Quest Trip to Pelee Island from May 7-10. Our hosts were the keepers of the Wandering Dog Inn, a delightful place to stay! Mike Kent was the leader of our enthusiastic group!

Pelee Island Map

After brief introductions, we went on a short bird walk down the road which was adjacent to the James Duncan Memorial Tract. Many Baltimore Orioles lined the route.

I saw a new (to me) squirrel species on the island. The Eastern Fox Squirrel is quite common, but this was the only photo I was able to take. They are a little larger than our Grey Squirrel. Above, the tail, eyes and head of the squirrel are visible if you look carefully.

The first of many Barn Swallows we saw.

Blue Phlox was in full bloom.

White-crowned Sparrow

Barn Swallows were busy with nest preparation at the Wandering Dog Inn.

A pair of Barn Swallows appear to be discussing the next steps.

Outside of my room, I spied a Brown-headed Cowbird sitting on a Swallow nest. She may have been just laying an egg, but I noticed her sitting there for several hours. This is odd behaviour as Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and don't incubate their own eggs. They are North America's most common "brood parasite." Female Cowbirds put all their energy into producing eggs, often as many as 3 dozen in a summer. By laying her eggs in the nests of other species, the host bird raises the Cowbird's offspring, often to the detriment of the nest builder's young.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/overview

Tennessee Warbler, found just outside the Wandering Inn.

Florian Diamante Nature Reserve Wetland and Viewing Blind.

A 62-acre wetland surrounded by a 1.6 km clay berm provide habitat needs for many creatures including Gray Fox, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Ash, Lake Erie Watersnake, Blue Racer and Wood Duck. The former farm land previously drained the water from the area, but tile drainage has been removed to allow the water to remain. Visitors can walk a perimeter trail and view birds from behind a blind.

https://www.peleeisland.com/2020/10/15/returning-to-nature-wetland-restoration-project-on-pelee-island/

Viewing Blind

A  Western Cattle Egret had been reported on the island earlier in the day. When we returned to the wetland for an evening visit, the bird circled the water a few times before settling down in the plants. The egret is in the centre of the highly cropped photo.

4 Great Egrets also moved around within the wetland before heading to some trees to roost for the night.

Once dusk made it difficult to see, we headed back to the Inn. Hundreds of Swallows also chose to spend the night at the wetlands.

An interesting tree cavity.

 Recent Spring Things!

A recent trip downriver scored us about 20 bird species at the Sombra Ferry Dock. 71 Bonaparte's Gulls were busy trying to steal fish from the Red-breasted Mergansers.

These were my first Canada Goose gosling sightings of the year. 

A couple of Yellow Warblers hunted together for insects.

The aptly named, Lesser Yellowlegs.

I wasn't expecting to see a Carolina Wren family with 2 fledged youngsters on May 5th! We had earlier heard the agitated adults making a lot of noise when a chipmunk was nearby. When I saw the babies, I understood the parent's distress. Carolina Wrens nest in open cavities, 3-6 feet off the ground in trees, overhangs and stumps. There are typically 3-7 eggs. The incubation period is 12-16 days and the nestling period is 10-16 days. Therefore, these babies likely hatched in mid-April.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Carolina_Wren/lifehistory

First American Robin hatchlings of the year. I could see 3 birds in the nest but there could have been a fourth.

Baltimore Oriole in the blossoms: Unlike Robins and other fruit-eating birds, Baltimore Orioles seem to prefer only ripe, dark-coloured fruit. Orioles seek out the darkest mulberries, the reddest cherries, and the deepest-purple grapes, and will ignore green grapes and yellow cherries even if they are ripe. 

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

Since the leaves on many deciduous trees have not fully opened, it is much easier to see last year's nest. I spied this hanging Baltimore Oriole nest from last year. The unraveled tape from inside an old cassette was the main material used to weave the nest!

Snapping Turtle enjoying the sunshine on a log!

I just got back from a few days on Pelee Island. Lots of photos still to sort through, but I wanted to post this picture of a Trumpeter Swan sitting on her nest. Tannins are naturally found in plants and sometimes taint the feathers of the Tundra Swans while the birds eat. Her mate, swimming nearby, also had the reddish tinge to his head feathers.

 A Few Favourites!

Spring is a time for beautiful discoveries!

Male Eastern Bluebird taking flight near a nesting box.

Eastern Bluebird with nesting material, just before entering nesting box! The female makes the nest by loosely weaving together grasses and pine needles, then lines it with fine grasses and sometimes horse hair or turkey feathers.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/lifehistory

Although very noisy at this time of year, the Canada Geese can be quite entertaining! One Goose chose a high perch and another Goose decided to bring him down to ground level, where they belong!

Canada Goose reading the signs to passersby who will listen!

A Black-capped Chickadee was pulling on some snagged soft hair to use in the nest cavity.

Until I looked at the photo on the computer, I thought the Black-capped Chickadee was eating bugs within a curled leaf. The Chickadee was actually enjoying a moth. (probable Lettered Sphinx)

Olympia Marble, one of my favourite butterflies!

Immature Red-tailed Hawk landed on top of a wood chip pile when I was standing just 10 feet away.

A Red-winged Blackbird is sitting on her well camouflaged nest, hidden and suspended among the cattails. 

Song Sparrow searching for bugs in the grass.

Swamp Sparrow looking for bugs in wet soil.

Bright spring colours of a Yellow-rumped Warbler in spring plumage.

Raccoon peeking out of a cavity that was used by Screech Owls for nesting in 2025.

Red Trilliums

 North Lambton!

We made 2 visits to Kettle Point and North Lambton this week. Above is a view of the ecologically important coastal wetlands along the Lake Huron shoreline.

We knew that American White Pelicans had been spotted in the area, but we didn't expect them to fly directly overhead while near Kettle Point!

There are 2 species of Pelicans in North America. Visitors to Florida encounter the Brown Pelican. American White Pelicans breed in mid-western Canada and can be found in small numbers in our area during migration.

Phragmites Australis Control: We chatted with a woman who is spearheading the invasive Phragmites problem at Kettle Point. In the above photo, a large mound of cut phragmites has been left in a pile. Lake Huron has significant coastal dunes along the shoreline. The coastal wetlands and river corridors are incredibly important habitats for wildlife. Community members are working with the Phragmites Control Centre (IPCC) to eliminate the invasive plant in an environmentally responsible way. Phragmites can reach 5 metres in height. It survives in standing water and dry areas. It out-competes native plants which reduces insect populations for birds. Even turtles can get caught in stands of phragmites, unable to find their way out. Additionally, phragmites blocks shoreline views, reduces property values and access for swimming, fishing and hunting. The removal of phragmites will also improve our bird watching experiences!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/first-nation-phragmites-control-1.7212070

4 Sandhill Cranes flew inland, off Lake Huron

Immature Bald Eagle. We saw 10 in a group, lining a distant shore!!

A Bald Eagle made repeated attempts to catch a fish off Pat's Point. Being harassed by gulls, and another Eagle, the fish was dropped several times but was eventually secured in the eagle's talons, and carried away.

Port Franks Wetland

The Variegated Meadowhawk is native to Canada. They are found throughout much of North America and have the ability to thrive in diverse climatic zones. As carnivorous insects, adult Variegated Meadowhawks prey on flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and smaller dragonflies. Their excellent eyesight and swift flight help them to capture prey while in flight.

https://peskylittlecritters.com/quick-facts-about-variegated-meadowhawk-dragonflies-you-should-know/

A Brown Thrasher was busy turning over leaves in his search for bugs to eat.

We were sad to find an endangered Eastern Hognose Snake that had recently been hit by a car as it attempted to cross the road.

Turtle Signs should also be a warning to watch for snakes crossing!

Meanwhile, closer to home, an immature Red-tailed Hawk marched along the forest floor in his quest to catch a squirrel for lunch. He did not have success while I watched.