A Return Visit to LaSalle Park and Marina, Burlington, ON

03 December 2018

     Despite suffering from a pretty awful cold I accompanied Miriam to Burlington to take care of her business needs and we again visited LaSalle Park and Marina to have our morning coffee and muffin, and to do a little birding.

This time we stayed longer and covered more area. 

     I can recommend a walk in crisp air with birds all around for anyone with a cold. You can stay at home and mope or get out and get some exercise and stimulation. You certainly don't feel any worse; in fact you feel measurably better, mentally at least, even if the physical misery doesn't abate too much.

     The number of birds, and the variety of species has increased considerably from our visit a few days earlier. In addition to the upsurge in birds, a couple of Great Lakes freighters were moored in the bay; at this time of year I would imagine in port for the winter.

     There were many, many Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), some foraging quite close to shore, others a little farther out in small to medium sized rafts. Quite often there were flocks exclusively of either males or females, and some contained both sexes. In general the males came in closer. What a handsome little duck this is!

     Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) have returned and a single male came over to greet us.

     To say that one delights more in one species than another, probably depends on the day and one's frame of mind, but I take singular pleasure always in Long-tailed Ducks, especially twenty or thirty of them together, chattering to each other in that most engaging fashion.

     There was a marked increase in the number of Greater Scaup (Aythya marila), always feeding in flocks. At times you could focus your camera on a group, only to have them dive almost in unison before you could press the shutter.

Greater Scaup - male

Greater Scaup - female

     All of these diving ducks have benefitted greatly from the plague of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) currently disrupting the Great Lakes ecosystem resulting in huge expense as they clog water intake valves, adhere to docks and cause other damage to anthropogenic structures. For ducks, however, it has proven to be a food bonanza of staggering proportions.

     White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) numbers have also shown an increase but for the most part this species remained far out and good photographs were in short supply.

     I have rarely seen a Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) out of the water, but this male was basking on a rock.

      Perhaps even he felt out of place for in short order he entered the water.

     Now all seemed right with the world!

     There were a dozen or so Canvasbacks (Aythya valsineria) keeping company with the other bay ducks, but none came in close to shore, so the pictures are of fairly distant birds.

     A single pair of Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) were the only ones we saw; the female is at the left in the water and the male is resting on the rock.

     Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are of course ubiquitous, and unjustifiably ignored, for they are possessed of stunning beauty, and the little curl at the end of the male's tail adds a touch of insouciance unknown in other species.

     Surprisingly there were very few Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and I can only assume that this species, normally plentiful, was foraging out of sight. This individual was keeping company with the Mallards.

     As has been mentioned in previous posts, LaSalle Park is a reliable place to see pure American Black Duck (Anas rubipres), a species that is increasingly hard to find as interbreeding with Mallards continues apace. 

     There are some who think that within a few generations American Black Duck will cease to exist as a distinct species.

     The most commanding presence is Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) and numbers had climbed since last Friday. 

     The large yellow wing tags are unsightly but assist in tracking the birds, especially in flight or at a distance.

     Interestingly, the hatch year bird shown in the picture below is not tagged, indicating perhaps that a pair nested outside their normal preferred spot at Wye Marsh, and escaped detection. If that is the case it may be a sign that as the population expands it is occupying other areas. 

     Along the woodland trail many passerine species were encountered, including twenty or so House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), a species not seen with anything like the frequency of only twenty years ago.

     Many people strew a little bird seed along the boardwalk and Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are quick to take advantage of it.

     

     Chickadees have become so accustomed to humans with sunflower seed that as soon as you begin the walk through the woodland you are surrounded by a dozen or more and they will readily feed from your hand.

     White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) are starting to acquire the habit too.

     Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) always make sure that they get their share of the bounty - and there is plenty to go around. Untidy squirrels often scatter as much as they eat.

     A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a vivid splash of colour, and even the most casual observer cannot fail but to take notice.

    

     We had gone to Burlington so that Miriam could ensure that her orders would be delivered. As it turned out we had a fine time, capping it off with lunch bought from a market I have not visited in a long time, where they prepare a fabulous range of salads every day, with an incredible choice. We chose a little of several selections we are unlikely to make at home and enjoyed them thoroughly. 

     We may wind up hoping that Canada Post and its union remain at odds for a while yet!