March 8th: Birding With My Mom

My mother and I had to renew our park passes for Point Pelee National Park, so we decided to take a tour around Hillman Marsh and the Onion Fields.


With the thaw, and the help of last weeks rain, the marsh is slowly opening up. At the north Hillman bridge we saw 2 Mute Swans, and 4 American Coots among the common migrant ducks, Canada Geese and Tundra Swans. Other highlights include 3 Bald Eagles, 3 Northern Harriers, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, and of course returning Robins, Grackles, and Red-winged Blackbirds.


The highlight of our little excursion was the flooded field at the end of concession D and County Road 19. This field is always flooded at this time of year giving you great views of the waterfowl. Tundra Swans, Canada Geese, and plenty of Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Gadwall, 5 Wood Duck, 2 American Black Duck, and 1 Shoveler were spotted. We also had a single Killdeer fly over.


We also checked out the east side of Lake Erie, but surprisingly we barely saw anything at all except a flock of 5 Common Merganser and a single Scaup. Many of the surrounded fields are packed with Tundra Swans and Canada Geese.


Here at home I had my first Killdeer in the field this morning. Robins, Grackles, and Red-winged Blackbirds are migrating through and setting up territories.