Tuesday Rambles with David - Lake Ontario Waterfowl

06 February 2018

     Franc and Carol are still in Arizona, but other than that, for the first time in a few weeks the remaining six of our regular Tuesday group were all available for our outing. 

     This is the peak time of the year for large numbers of waterfowl wintering on Lake Ontario, so we decided to visit the Hamilton area where there are large concentrations of a wide range of species, and several good vantage points to permit excellent viewing.

     As might be expected in early February the shore of the lake was characterized by numerous ice formations.

       There was an abundance of ducks on the water but they were unusually far out and not anywhere near close enough for decent photographs. We may not have gotten pictures, but we certainly enjoyed the opportunity to observe so many species, especially the diving ducks that inhabit the lake only during the coldest months of the year, having a rich food resource in the form of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), the scourge of the Great Lakes.
     Francine and Jim arrived a little ahead of the rest of us and Francine was able to capture a couple of Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis).

     As we moved along the lake we stopped at various spots to scan the water and were rewarded with a sighting of two Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus), alas far, far out resting on the surface, and beyond the reach of our cameras.

     We eventually wound up at LaSalle Park and Marina in Burlington where, as might be expected, most species were much closer to shore, well within photographic range.

     There were many Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and a few males were seen already starting their courtship displays.

     I can't think of anywhere that beats LaSalle for close up views of Greater Scaup (Aythya marila). Many birders, especially novices, have a difficult time differentiating Great Scaup from the very similar Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) so any chance for detailed inspection is welcomed.

Greater Scaup - male

Greater Scaup - female

   The signature species at LaSalle is the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) and even though we have literally hundreds of pictures of this magnificent bird it is hard to resist taking more.

     Many young birds were present and it appears that it was a productive year for Trumpeter Swan.

     As you can see the ladies of our merry band of birders enjoyed being with these swans.

     I guess they forgot to read the memo about this being a serious ornithological venture and they just opted for frivolity and sheer enjoyment!

     Under most conditions when encountering Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) it is the largest bird around, but when seen alongside a Trumpeter Swan it doesn't seem so big anymore.

     Canada Goose is much maligned by people who resent their droppings, despite the fact that it is us who have encouraged them to abandon their normal migratory patterns by providing veritable smorgasbords of food for them (a golf course must be a high class restaurant for a Canada Goose), but I always enjoy this handsome, intelligent species.

     Surely the most underrated duck of all is Mallard (Anas platyrynchos). I don't know whether familiarity breeds contempt in this case, but it sure breeds indifference. If this species were rare we would all be enthralled by its sheer beauty.

     A flock of Redheads (Aythya americana) is far more likely to draw our attention.

     And a male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) will throw us into raptures (especially Francine).

     We saw a few Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) but as best I can remember they were all females.

     A pair of Gadwall ( Anas strepera) looked positively dignified in their muted garb; fittingly it seemed, they kept to themselves.

     We saw many scoters of all three species found on Lake Ontario, but these birds never did come in close and this single photograph of a female Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) was all that Miriam was able to get.

     We went for a walk along the woodland trail.

     The walk was very productive with delightful species such as Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) and Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus). Mary found all three of these birds and was our Hawkeye Spotter of the day. If she keeps this up it may be Tuesday Meanders with Mary instead of Tuesday Rambles with David!

     A very large nest of paper wasp (Polistinae sp.) attracted the attention of a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), leading me to wonder whether there were any vestiges of larval protein to be gleaned.

     As always it was a great walk filled with birds, laughter, friendship of the best kind, and we are all looking forward to the next adventure together.  

All species: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, American Black Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, American Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House Sparrow, Red Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, American Tree Sparrow, Northern Cardinal.   Total: 40