Monday we headed towards Rondeau to see if we could find a Dickcissel. They had been reported singing in a field outside of Blenheim. The Dickcissel is a striking, sparrow-like, grassland species that is generally found in the US but can be found in Southern Ontario most years in the summer in small numbers. We arrived at 8:25am and it was already almost 30C. We set up our scope hoping to be able to see birds sitting on the top of grasses further back in the field. We also turned Merlin on so we could make sure we did not miss its singing with other birds also making noise. The flies were relentless and biting ankles and hands. After about 10 minutes Jerry wandered farther down the road and a few minutes later my Merlin picked up the song for Dickcissel where I was scoping. I did not hear it but started scanning the field again with the scope. I had some suspect birds back farther but could not quite make out the details with the sun also shining from that direction. Jerry made his way back and then scanned the far fence line and saw a bird he thought looked good. We scoped it and were pretty sure it was a juvenile Dickcissel. Another call was picked up by Merlin but with so many other birds around we had a hard time figuring out which call might have been the Dickcissel. Jerry got pictures and then I scoped further over and found a beautiful male sitting on the top of a bush and we both had very nice views and Jerry took pictures. He is not happy with the pictures but the birds were a long way away. Bird #397 was confirmed!

The heat wave settled back in and we had family things that kept us busy the next few days. Wednesday we stopped at Valley Inn after running errands and had some nice views of Egrets and Herons.

Jerry went into Paris and got some nice pictures of Chimney Swifts, a species that we did not have a picture of yet. With this down time we will be trying to get some pictures we are missing.

Thursday and Friday the winds in Hamilton were from the NE and that means lake watches. In the morning we went to Niagara-on-the-lake to see about that Black Vulture we still need to check off the list. I think this is about the 5th time and at this point I think we really do need to wait until fall/winter to get the bird. With no leaves on the trees it will be easier to track vultures flying down the river or roosting in trees. If we happen to be down there for other birds then we will try for it again. We then headed to Van Wagners Beach on the way home but the east winds were very light and we did not expect any Jaeger action. We stayed for a bit and then headed home.

With family events over the weekend it looks like the Dickcissel will be our only addition this week. Hope you all had a great long weekend! How cool is this picture Jerry took at sunset the other day?

Week 31 1 species added. 397 E&J