October Big Day 2025: Lambton County

This year I thought I'd attempt a Big Day!  This is where you bird from dawn to dusk on a specific day, ebird set it as October 11 this year.  I was going to go south to Pelee, as I hadn't birded that area since May, but considering the checklists and the fact that we have good birds here in Lambton, I thought I'd bird my home county.

I mentioned it to my friend Deryl Nethercott as he is the expert on birding Lambton, especially Canatara Park.  He gave me some great tips and almost a heart attack as he jumped out of a bush in the dark as I was walking around Lake Chipigan!  He says, "Eva!  I'm gonna help you!"  After I recovered and my heart slowed down, I showed my appreciation and we settled in for a 2 hour walk around the park.  

The weather was a bit brisk, not as cold as it had been at 8C and overcast.  The first bird that I heard was the Rooster at the Animal farm!  Then the Hermit Thrush and soon many many White Throated Sparrows!  I mentioned that I thought that I had heard a Screech Owl, and before you knew it we heard Chickadees making a racket!  Sure enough a red morph high up in the tree was roosting.  Deryl had heard the Great Horned Owls before he met up with me, but alas I did not.  Maybe next time!  It was pretty dark but soon enough the song birds became making themselves known.  We hiked up to the beach where we saw a young Sharp Shinned Hawk pass over being chased by Blue Jays.  Gull action was quiet on the beach so we proceeded back into the park.  Deryl really wanted an Orange Crowned Warbler for me, as there had been one there the day before, but I guess it wasn't my day.  I did hear a few Yellow Rumped Warblers earlier in the morning before Deryl joined me.  I did not bring my camera as I figured I'd be moving to fast to stop and take a picture, I probably should have brought it?

As it was my Big Day, I thought I should move on after checking the waterfowl on the small lake.  I said good bye and  Deryl reminded me about the Peregrine Falcon under the bridge and it didn't disappoint.  As soon as I parked, she came swooping over, and I was able to easily identify her.  I walked the riverfront with nothing else of note.

I had to use the facilities before I went on to Camp Saradeca , which doesn't even have a porta potty,so decided to head back to Canatara.  I did a bit of a walk afterwards and ran into Sharon, Deryl's wife, and she led me to a lovely Yellow Bellied Sapsucker and I spotted my first Red Bellied Woodpecker of the day.  She let me know that Nashville and Black throated Green warblers were in the park, but I didn't see them, that's birding for you!  I did see 2 interesting thrushes that she had earlier photographed, I thought they were Gray Cheeked Thrush, maybe?

Camp Saradeca is one of my new favourite places to bird.  It has some amazing habitat, with tall trees and lots of berries for migrating birds to feasts on.  There were the usual suspects . with Pine Siskin to add to my list.

Next, continuing on Blackwell, I arrived at Wawanosh Wetlands.  It was pretty busy as it was Thanksgiving weekend and it is a lovely place for fall colours.  There were many Canada Geese on 1st pond and some Cackling Geese!  The bird of note was a leucistic Double Crested Cormorant, so cool.

I did a quick stop at Perch Creek as I had Fox sparrow there yesterday, but not today!

It was time for a lunch break so I birded by little patch on my way home.  Good birds there considering the time.  I got Horned Lark and American Pipit which have are regulars this time of year.  Also a late Common Yellowthroat!

Made myself a nice sandwich at home and snuggled Ariana, recharged my phone and my body! 

Headed north on Lakeshore towards Kettle Point.  It had warmed up significantly but the shorebirds were slow.  Just a few Sanderling and Dunlin and a Black Bellied Plover.  Got my first Turkey Vulture of the day, seems they are pretty much gone south!  Northern Flicker is another bird that I didn't see much of that day. It was nice to see the family of Sandhill Cranes are 3!

It is always a lovely drive up there and the weather was getting warmer and the sun was making an appearance so nice to visit.  The water is very low around the shoals

On to Pinery PP!  It is the latest I've been there, after 3 pm, and I wasn't sure what I'd experience.  It didn't disappoint!  The Riverside trail is my go to trail and I me some lovely people and their dogs.  It's always nice when you meet people who are camping there and they share their interest in birds.  They do not consider themselves 'birders' but they appreciate nature and were very interested in the all of the little songbirds that were flitting around (that's how it starts!)  Lots of Ruby Crowned and Golden Crowned Kinglets as well as my first Fox sparrow of the day!  The Pileated Woodpecker made an appearance as well as a Red Bellied Woodpecker!  I heard a Tufted Titmouse as I was leaving the trail.

I thought I'd check out Beach 3 as there is good warbler habitat there.  I also had to use the loo!  It was a gorgeous view of Lake Huron and I was so tempted to stick my toe in, but hesitated and moved on!

It was getting late so and I didn't want to miss the Forest Sewage Lagoons, so I headed out.  Maybe I'll spend dusk there?  It was almost 6pm by the time I got there and the lagoons were glorious!  The area around the lagoons had been mowed so it was very walkable!  There had been Nelson's sparrow there the day before so I walked around the pavilion.  No luck.  But that's okay as there were so many birds!  Waterfowl, blackbirds (Rusty) .  I only walked around the 1st and 3rd pod, as time was ticking, I will definitely have to come back here again in the near future.  I'm glad I brought my scope!  There are many ducks that I still could not identify (still learning)  Deryl had gone there the day before to do a scout for me, so I had an idea of what may be there.  This time of day is beautiful and as I was leaving the Geese were flying in.

My tummy was rumbling and I was craving Cana China Chinese food.  I'm usually on my own for Thanksgiving so I thought I'd treat myself!  I phoned in my order and picked it up in downtown Forest!

Got home, walked Ri and settled in for the night, with yummy food and a look at my photos.  Slept well!

ebird trip report