Russell Storm Pond to Crysler with JC Birding

 September 8, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

We (Barb C, Eleanor, Ken, Bill and Jane)  met at Elmvale Acres Shopping centre and had a discussion who was going with who.   Barb C. suggested we all go together - three women in the back and the guys in the front.  All right I will sit in the back seat, I said.  Bill and Ken discussed where to go, Ken was expecting Findlay creek, Bill wanted to go to Russell storm water pond.  Once Ken heard what was at Russell, it was more than fine to go east rather than south.

We drove to Central Park Blvd in Russell and the Storm water catchment pond was on the left.  It was spitting rain out, in a rush to get to the pond, I took my scope and forgot to put my rain boots on.

We heard Killdeer. The first birds we saw on the pond were Pied-billed Grebes -- such cute little birds.  They were the first I have seen all season.  Bill and Ken walk over to two birders and chatted with them, the birders moved on.   Yes the Long-billed Dowitcher had been seen earlier, but it flew and the birders did not know where it was.   Turned out we knew one of them Sue L., met her years ago when I birded with Tony B.

Oh my we saw so many Wilson's Snipe, right out in the open, 2 or 3 together or 5 or 6 together , lone ones eating or sleeping while others  mixing with Mallards.  Then all of a sudden one would take off in flight joined with maybe 10 others.  It was such a cool sight.  We also saw Lesser Yellowlegs and  2 Greater Yellowlegs.

We busied ourselves with taking photos, I mean how often do you see about 30 Wilson's Snipes out in the open at the same pond.  I believe it  was a first for all of us.  As we were checking out all the Snipe we were also looking for a Long-billed Dowitcher.

As I walked ahead I turned back and it seemed that Barb C. was shouting to Sue L who was on the other side of the pond.  I walked back to find out the Long-billed Dowitcher was near us.  Maybe too close because it seemed it was at the point which we could not see at the moment.  Barb C and Eleanor started to walk toward Sue L, Ken, Bill and I walked the other way.

Yes we found it, Barb C and Eleanor joined us.   What a good comparison, the Long-billed Dowitcher and the Wilson's Snipes together, both have very long bills, relatively the same length.  Both species have plump bodies and long bills.  The Wilson's Snipe Snipe has bold distinct stripes running back to front of its head.  Its back is light buffy with "racing stripes" running down its back.  The Long-billed Dowitcher has a long pale eyebrow and its back is a mix of black, gold, rufous and white. It has longer legs while Wilson's Snipe has stumpy legs.  Their feeding behaviour is different, Long-billed Dowitcher probes rapidly (when I first saw this species  years ago, I heard it described as up and down like a sewing machine) while the Snipe is slow with a rocking bobbin motion.  You will be able to see the visual difference with the many photos that are attached.  As well in one of my photos a Wilson's Snipe is very thoughtfully showing his legs to us.

We stayed for a long while, and when we left we all had smiles on our faces.  The spitting rain had stopped and the sun had come out.  

Next up were the Russell Lagoons, Nothing. Well almost nothing - Mourning 

Doves and Songsparrows, but nothing on the lagoon.

We headed to the Embrun lagoons. There we saw Blue-wing and Green-wing Teal and a single Ring-necked duck.  We had not seen Swallows in a few weeks, well over the lagoons were at least 50 Tree Swallows hawking for insects.  We checked the lagoons from two spots, at the second spot, I got bored and wandered off and down a dirt road.  I did bring my phone with me just in case.  A small 4 by 4 passed me, mm is this a private road or public, he did not stop to tell me to get off the road, so I continued down.  

I heard some birds, I pished then I brought out the mobbing tape.  After a few minutes it brought in birds.  I could see that they were warblers, but seeing birds in Willow trees, definitely challenging.  Bill's vehicle pulls up and I tell them I am seeing warblers.   Bill's response I thought there might be because of the Willows.  It was a good find -- Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Northern Yellow Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and Palm Warbler, along with a single Least Flycatcher.  We heard a Common Raven in the distance.  A good find.  

Once lunch was over, we drove down to the trees, to check if there were any other different species there were not.  Eleanor disappeared and came back to show us a photo of a narrow bridge.  How did you know there was one up ahead, sign indicated it, was her response.  So today marks the first time Eleanor has submitted a photo for all to see.As well we rarely see photos from Barb C, she submitted two, not saying there was a bit of teasing in the car about her taking photos we never see.  Thank you Eleanor and Barb C.

We drove to the cheese factory and some got ice cream, cheese and even a sandwich.  We took another break and chatted.  Off to Chrysler Falls, not that fall away - disappointment - Great Blue Heron, a single European Starling and at the dam, Double-crested Cormorant and a single Spotted (this one was spotless) Sandpiper.  Ken had disappeared, well we thought he was at the dock and we later saw that he was not.  We checked the evergreens for warblers, and the only new one was Cape May Warbler.

Barb C received a phone call from Ken indicating where he was, so we joined him.  There we saw White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Downy Woodpecker and heard a Northern Cardinal along with a few warblers.  We then checked out Chrysler Lagoons. Bill said we had 20 minutes, he had to get home as he was heading for his grandson's ball game that was at 6:30.  Lucky for us another birder whom Ken knew,  was walking out and told us what was there, almost nothing and the birds that were there we had seen.

Back to Elmvale Acres by 3:45.  We all enjoyed the day and we found a new pond to check out in the future.  It was also fun with five people in the vehicle, not cramped just had to buckle up in a sequence.  Good day birding, but then it always is.  Oh I have indicated how much I love to bird....I know it is news to some--not.

Species Noted

1. Pied-billed Grebe
2. Mallard
3. Lesser Yellowlegs
4. Greater Yellowlegs
5. Wilson's Snipe
6. Long-billed Dowitcher
7. Song Sparrow
8. Savannah Sparrow
9. Lincoln Sparrow
10. Killdeer
11. Red-winged Blackbird
12. Spotted Sandpiper
13. Canada Goose
14. Wood Duck
15. Blue Jay
16. Mourning Dove
17. Black-capped Chickadee
18. Broad-winged Hawk
19. Rock Pigeons
20. Ring-billed Gull
21. American Crow
22. Blue-wing Teal
23. Green-wing Teal
24. Ring-neck Duck
25. Tree Swallow
26. Palm Warbler
27. Black-throated Blue 
28. Blackpoll Warbler
29. Bay-breasted Warbler
30. Northern Yellow Warbler
31. Magnolia Warbler
32. Cape May Warbler
33. Least Flycatcher
34. Common Raven
35. Turkey Vulture
36. European Starling
37. Great Blue Heron
38. Double-crested Cormorant
39. White-breasted Nuthatch
40. Red-breasted Nuthatch
41. American Robin
42. Downy Woodpecker
43. Northern Cardinal
44. American Goldfinch

Critters Noted

1. Wooly Bear
2. Painted Turtle

Quick Afternoon Trip to Mud Lake

 September 3, 2026

While not as active as Tuesday  morning, there were still warblers around that responded to the mobbing tape.

Mud Lake Warbler Palooza with JC Birding

 September 1, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Bill and I arrived at Mud Lake around 7:45.  We put on my rubber boots as it had rained overnight, the forecast called for rain during the day that never happened.

We walked over to Mud Lake, there to greet us was a single Mallard.  Looking through my scope, I saw so many Wood Ducks.  Bill wandered over to a small body of water on the other side of the road, there he saw a Green Heron.  Bill called to me to let me know, I joined him to see the Green Heron disappearing into the vegetation, but I did see one later in the day..  No Red-winged Blackbirds.  I went back to my scope to finish scanning around the lake, the only other species I found was a Great Blue Heron. 

 Instead of going to the ridge we walked toward the water and started checking the trees along the water.  Bill should we go down to the water?   Bill said yes.  Bill had told me he got himself a speaker to hang on trees, freeing up hands.  Such a thoughtful gesture. 

First bird we heard was a Black-capped chickadee.  Bill hung up the speaker and played the mobbing tape.  It didn't take long before we had lots of Chickadees, then the warblers arrived -- American Restart, Black and White, Magnolia, Cape May and Blackburian.  Ann and Guy joined us  looking at all those warblers.  Ann indicated she did not know all the warblers.  I told her I am concentrating on taking photos and I will identify them at home.  We walked closer to the water, Bill said I have a Black-throated Green. Ann pointed out a single Common Merganser.  She also said hello to what she called the Mallard sewing circle, 7 or 8 female Mallards.

High in the dead trees were a couple of Cedar Waxwings and a couple of Eastern Phoebes.

Ann and Guy walked up the ridge, while Bill went to take off his rubber boots.  I stayed a while hoping to see more, I did not.  I met Ian on his way down to the water and I was  on my way up to the ridge.  I caught up to Ann and Guy as they were trying to determine what birds were  flying to and fro, they could not.  We saw a group of people checking out an area with cameras and scopes at the ready.  I stopped to talk a bit and Ann and Guy went on.  No sign of Bill.  We really did not see much.  Ann wanted to go sit on the bench at the head of the path.  We waited for Bill.  I could not phone him as I left my phone in Bill's vehicle.  Ann received a call, she thought it might be her son, nope Bill saying he had birded with Ian for a bit.  Luckily he did, he saw a Blackpoll Warbler.

He joined us and we walked down the path.  We heard Chickadees, out comes the speaker, oh my the mobbing sound really draws birds in -- Yellow-rumps, Bay-breasted and some of the others that we previously had seen.

We stopped and looked at a flower -- Guy said this flower is called Turtle head.  He sent me more information this morning regarding the flower.  "Scientific name is Chelone glabra, Common name White turtlehead. Native  from Georgia to Newfoundland to Labrador, thus Eastern North America.  In Greek , chelone means "tortoise" and was the name of a nymph who refused to attend the wedding of Zeus and was turned into a turtle as punishment. Its natural habitat is wet areas, such as riparian forests and swamps. It has been used as a method of birth control by Abenaki people."  Thanks Guy, always the very knowledgeable flower guy;

Ann walked back to the bench as we continued.  

We continued to the viewing platform to check out what we could see on the water -- Wood Ducks, so many juveniles -- they all looked like females, but the juveniles look so much like female Wood Ducks.

We walked to the bridge, played the tape, it was more effective at the far end of the bridge, bringing in more warblers and a single Blue-headed Vireo.  At one point, Bill saw a Red-eyed Vireo, not sure if it was on the way to the bridge or at the bridge.  

Guy what do you call these flowers -- Wapoo or Arrowhead.  Again he gave me more information. "Well it's not Wapoo but Wapato, scientific name is Sagittaria latifolia and common names Broadleaf arrowhead, Duck potato, Indian potato. This plant produces edible tubers that have traditionally been extensively used by Native Americans. The starchy tubers were consumed by Native Americans in the lower Columbia River basin, in addition to the Omaha and Cherokee nations. The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked for 15 to 20 minutes. The taste is similar to potatoes and chestnuts, and they can be prepared in the same fashions: roasting, frying, boiling, and so on. They can also be sliced and dried to prepare flour. "

I don't think we saw any new warblers on the way back, Ian joined us at this point.  Bill did play it again, oh yes White-breasted Nuthatch and Downy Woodpeckers flew in during one of the playbacks. As well when Guy and Ann were walking with us, they mentioned seeing a Belted Kingfisher as they were parking.  We later saw one at Richmond storm pond.

We saw some fungi on a log - Trembling Crust fungi -- Guy gave me this information -- The mushrooms on the log are, I believe, Schizophyllum commune. It is common in rotting wood. It can be found throughout the world, year-round in places such as North America. This mushroom is edible when young. The species was regarded as nonpoisonous but regarded  as inedible due to its smallness and toughness. It is chewed by some natives of Madagascar. This mushroom is sold in markets in Guatemala. Known locally in Chinese as baishen , this mushroom is enjoyed as food in Yunnan. In Northeast India, in the state Manipur, it is known as kanglayen and one of the favourite ingredients for Manipuri-style pancakes called paaknam. In Mizoram, the local name is pasi (pa means mushroom, si means tiny) and it is one of the highest rated edible mushrooms among the Mizo community. As to the edibility of those that we saw at Mud , personally  I would not risk eating them and would not recommend them to anyone. When in doubt avoid. 

At one point we noticed an absence of Canada Geese, mm that is different.

Ann and Guy left us and we continued onto Andrew Hayden park.  We noticed Colin and another man standing over to the right of where we would normally scan.  We joined them, Colin very nicely pointed out the Hudsonian Godwit and the Black-bellied Plover and said the Franklin's Gull had not been seen.  We checked them both out and took photos.  Bill let me know he saw a single Red-winged Blackbird.  I walked over a bit to get a photo of the Great Egret and I spoke to a very dedicated birder (he had an oxygen pack on his back and lines running to his nose.)  His walker was for his camera and he had a scope set up.  I asked if he had seen the Hudsonian, yes, how about the Black-bellied plover, no.  I tried to find it with my bins, but had to use my scope, he came over and got the coordinates.  I went back over to talk to Colin and asked me to give me a short lesson on Gull aging.  Bill said the speaker at OFO conference is speaking on Gulls. Yes.but I want a primer.  Colin gave me a short explanation.  We decided it was time for lunch, we were on our way out, when Colin said I have Franklin's Gull. Appetite or seeing the Gull.  No surprise the Gull won.  We checked it out and took more photos and off we went to the vehicle to get our lunches.

A single Ring-billed Gull joined us while we were eating, it did not bother us, it moved its head back and forth ever so slightly as if listening to our conversation. After a stimulating conversation we decided we would move onto the Emerald Meadows stormwater ponds.   Once there we found it was very difficult to see the water, the vegetation had overgrown so much. Lots of Canada Geese, Great Egret.  Off to the Richmond's Stormwater Pond -- Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, 4 Great Egrets, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Map Turtle, 1 Painted Turtle and as we were leaving a Belted Kingfisher. 

Then we were off to the Richmond Lagoons.  Bill and I were talking too much and we missed the parking lot to the lagoons.  Oh well we just turned around and parked the vehicle.  I brought my scope, and off we went.  At the viewing platform, Ian said he saw something go into the grasses, bigger than a Virginia Rail.  Well Bill and Ian were so lucky they saw an American Bittern, probably the best bird of the day (oh my I just discounted all those beautiful warblers).  We checked out the first lagoon, it looked pretty dry, but looking through the scope, I saw many, many Mallards and one lone Great Blue Heron swimming or standing in the  deep slime.

Bill played the tape at the viewing stand, more warblers. Ian decided to stay at the viewing stand, in hopes he would see the American Bittern again.  Bill  again played the tape just as we were leaving, more warblers.  I spotted a Black-capped Chickadee lying flat out on a branch.  Bill, look at that bird, why is he doing that -- we all had different speculations that were wrong.  I googled it and my search indicated that birds do that for several reasons --sunbathing or to cool down. I can't remember if I have seen this before, the Chickadee just looked weird on the branch.  High up on a tree we saw an Eastern Wood Pewee.

Ian left us and we continued on to Trail Road.  We saw a big flock of European Starlings, Turning down Cambrian  we saw some Ring-billed Gulls, but at the open garbage part of the dump many more Gulls joined by at least a dozen Turkey Vultures. I was fascinated by how the garbage truck dumps its load - it lifts the back  of the truck  upwards and pushes all the garbage out.   We drove to the end of the road and there we saw a single American Goldfinch.  Driving back, we found our first and only Common Raven of the day.

Back home by 4:45.  Another really good day birding -- 13 species of Warblers.

Species Noted

1. Great Blue Heron
2. Mallard
3. Wood Duck
4. Green Heron
5. Black-crowned Night heron
6. Eastern Phoebe
7. American Redstart
8. Black & White Warbler
9. Blackpoll Warbler
10. Northern Parula
11. Song Sparrow
12. Magnolia Warbler
13. Blackburnian Warbler
14. Black-throated Green Warbler
15. Yellow-rumped Warbler
16. Bay-breasted Warbler
17. Chestnut-sided Warbler
18. Blue-headed Vireo
19. Red-eyed Vireo
20. Downy Woodpecker
21. Hairy Woodpecker
22. White-breasted Nuthatch
23. Common Merganser
24. Belted Kingfisher
25. Ring-billed Gull
26. Wild Turkey
27. Nashville Warbler
28. Yellow Warbler
29. Cape May Warbler
30. Merlin
31. Hudsonian Godwit
32. Spotted Sandpiper
33. Black-bellied Plover
34. Red-winged Blackbird
35. Franklin's Gull
36. Canada Goose
37. Great Egret
38. Mourning Dove
39. Double-crested Cormorant
40. Osprey
41. American Bittern
42. Turkey Vulture
43. Eastern Wood Pewee
44. European Starling
45. American Goldfinch
46. Common Raven

Critters Seen

1. Leopard Frog
2. Map Turtle
3. Painted Turtle