Starting with a lakewatch at the dock in Erieau pruduced a nice variety of species including a small flock of Sandhill Cranes and a single Red-Throated Loon. Good variety of waterfowl and gulls on the move as well.
We headed on to Shrewsbury and from there split up to cover more ground. Sparrows were relatively numerous in the swampy habitat, most being Song and Swamp.
Upon reaching the end of my route, I spotted Ken driving down the road to pick me up having just finished his trail as well. He mentioned finding a Long Eared Owl. As he was telling me this, he casually looked over my shoulder and mentioned that there was another one right there. I thought he was joking at first.
Apparently not.
I had walked right by without seeing it. It ended up being in the same place on two separate drives down this road later in the afternoon. A life species for me.
Headed back towards Erieau we split up again, Ken dropping me off at the rail trail and he continuing on to Mcgeachy Pond Conservation Area.
The trail was fairly quiet, highlight being a Snowy owl.
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| A snowy Snowy |
As daylight started to fade, we returned to the Erieau dock for one last scan of the lake before heading for home. Because of distance to drive, we had decided not to return to the wrap up. We ended with 59 species in our section of the count. Apparently our 6 Belted Kingfishers were a new high. It was an enjoyable day to take part in a count outside my home territory. My next count is Stratford on the 28th.
Off topic, but yesterday for the first in over four months, I refound the Eurasian Collared-Dove at our farm. Where it's been and whether it will stay, it would be interesting to know.
