County Tour

On a recent county drive, a road kill was found that had attracted a Bald Eagle. Although fish is a main diet staple for the species, they are scavengers and will eat most any available food. In this case, raccoon was on the menu!

While visiting Henderson Conservation Area, I had my first good look at 2 Pine Siskins this calendar year. I have heard them flying over but looks have been brief. They were busily eating White Cedar Cone seeds.

2 Song Sparrows feasted on seeds from plants in a marshy area.

Cattails provide shelter and food for lots of critters.

I had heard that a Belted Kingfisher was staying at Henderson C.A. this winter. (Very unusual, especially in this cold winter.) While standing at an open water patch, the Kingfisher flew in, circled and then left when he saw us standing near his fishing hole.

Snowy log, potentially providing shelter for small rodents.

Back to the River!

The St. Clair River hosts the largest concentrations of birds locally. A female Common Merganser was found “surfing” in the waves.

Double-crested Cormorant surrounded by steam in Talfourd Creek.

Iceland Gull flying overhead.

Iridescent colours on the head of this male Bufflehead are visible in the bright sunshine.

A Bufflehead dive is reflected in the calm water of the St. Clair River.

Common Merganser male in flight over St. Clair River ice.

A Canvasback Duck is dwarfed by a pair of Trumpeter Swans which are North America’s largest native waterfowl.

Behind the Trumpeter Swan is a row of 4 Ring-necked Ducks. I always think these ducks were misnamed because the ring around their bill is much more noticeable than the ring around the neck.

On Valentines Day, Mother Nature created a stack of 3 Hearts in lower Lake Huron.