Hi Winter Birders, An update for the St. Clair River. Today I spotted a male LONG-TAILED DUCK just south of Sombra at the head of Fawn Island. This species is rare for the main part of the river, but is seen frequently at Sarnia and Point Edward. The river is mostly choked with ice up to Courtright, but there are a few open areas. (Sombra Ferry has not been running) In fact, there are more ducks now. Most are in an open area between Sombra and Fawn Island. About 2000 ducks, geese and swans are here. Most are Redheads and Canvasbacks with lesser numbers of Greater Scaup, Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Mergansers, and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, and 1 Ring-necked (male). Both Tundra and Mute Swans are here. Two Bald Eagles are in the area. I have not seen the two White-winged Scoters lately. They were the only scoters on the recent waterfowl survey of the entire area. The Hooded Mergansers have left, unless some are still on the USA side. Most of the gulls have left, but there are still good numbers (inc. Glaucous) north of Sombra. A first basic Lesser Black-backed Gull was south of Courtright yesterday.
Directions to Sombra and St. Clair River: Find Hwy 40 which runs N/S between Sarnia and Wallaceburg. Turn west on Lambton Rd. 2 (Bentpath Line) and take to Sombra on the river. Sombra Bay is right in front of you. Fawn Island is just to the south of the village. The St. Clair Parkway (Rd. 33) follows the river along its length. ________________________________ Blake A. Mann Wallaceburg, Chatham-Kent, Ont. email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Blake Mann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
