To go our not to go, that was the question. This was our annual trip date to go to Grand Bend to see Tundra Swans. When the reports of the birds' presence is sketchy and small in numbers, it is hard to know whether to take the chance. Warm weather was in the forecast for the week andvwe knew that this would encourage this mass of birds to come. The night before, Ontbirds reported that there were 5,000 + Tundra Swans near the corner of Hague and Blain and that, plus the incredible sight of seeing this throng of birds, proved it was a good decision. We literally saw 1000s of Tundra Swans! We also saw migrating Greater White-fronted Geese and many spring migrants like Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle and Song Sparrow. Red-headed Woodpecker and Tufted Titmouse at the Pinery did not disappoint either. We had a pleasant picnic lunch watching the feeders the outside the Visitor Centre at the Pinery. Twelve people were in attendance.
The weather was very rainy when we traveled, cloudy when we arrived in Grand Bend and sunny after the noon hour. The temperatures varied from + 1 to + 8 degrees C. Winds were fairly strong in the morning.
In total 32 species were seen.
Places visited were: Highway 21 enroute to Grand Bend, Greenway Road Tundra Swan view point, Hague and Blaine Road, The Pinery
Sightings:
Tundra
Swan, Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Northern Pintail,
American Widgeon, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Wild
Turkey, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Rock
Pigeon, Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Horned Lark,
Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch,
American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, American Tree
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged
Blackbird, Common Grackle, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin.