Report for April 30, 2003 (Wednesday): This morning there was a good variety of migrants, but these are to be found only in discreet pockets. Also, almost all activity is concentrated in the area of the Park Campground, Park Entrance, Water Street and start of the Marsh Trail. On the woodland trails within Rondeau (including South Point Trail) there are virtually no warblers and very few migrants overall.
Miscellaneous sightings (April 30): The WILLET remains at the start of Marsh Trail (present since Saturday) Orange-crowned Warbler , start of Marsh Trail "Yellow" Palm Warbler, start of Marsh Trail (Gavin Platt, Ian Platt, Ann White) Female Hooded Warbler, just north of park in subdivision off of Kent Bridge Road Blue-winged Warbler, main road just N of entrance road to Campground Also today in the Water Street area were numbers of Yellow Warbler, Nashville Warbler, House Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, etc. A flock of 30 Rusty Blackbirds was along Gardiner Road, near the junction with Rondeau Road. Expect even more migrants during the next couple of days, with the arrival of warm air and associated precipitation. There are mudflats developing along the bayshore just inside the park entrance, in the vicinity of the park store and start of the Marsh Trail, etc. In this area there are hundreds of Bonapartes Gulls, Forsters Terns, Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper and the above-mentioned Willet etc. The Blenheim sewage lagoons have little shorebird habitat, but 1000+ ducks are present including hundreds of Ruddy Duck (Note: A free permit from the town office is required for entry to this site). Alan Wormington, Friends of Rondeau ************************************************* DAILY BIRDING HIKES WITH AN EXPERT (free): April 30 May 1 to 19 inclusive, and 23-26 inclusive Each day there is a morning hike at 7:30 a.m. -- meet at the Visitor Centre. Each day there is also an afternoon OR evening hike, as follows: Mondays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park - meet at the Visitor Centre Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. at the Blenheim Sewage Ponds - map available at the V.C. Wednesdays: 7:00 p.m. on Marsh Trail -- meet at parking lot (Note: May 7 and 14 hikes are in Ridgetown, and will start at 6:00 p.m. -- meet at the Native Trail, Scane Road just south of Golf Course Line) Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Fridays: 7:00 p.m. on Marsh Trail -- meet at parking lot Saturdays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Sundays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Group size limited -- sign up at the Visitor Centre For Additional Birding Events at Rondeau, visit the "Friends" website at www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
