Dear birders, A series of strong thundershowers and mild overnight temperatures brought a big wave of migrants to the Park this morning. All throughout the park, large numbers of birds were being reported. A short walk to the tip area yielded the following highlights:
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - (2) - One well seen singing! BLUE-WINGED WARBLER - (1-2) - Others reported 5 or 6! HOODED WARBLER - (1 Male) - First for the spring. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - (1) MAGNOLIA WARBLER - (1) - First for the spring. OVENBIRD - (1) - LINCOLN'S SPARROW - (4-5) - Likely several more. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW - (1) Gravel parking area west of tip train stop. INDIGO BUNTING - (7-8) - Heard calling overhead and observed attempting to fly south off the Tip BALTIMORE ORIOLE (lots) - Scattered birds had been seen before today but they are here to stay now. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (lots) - Once again, while they may not remain as common throughout the spring, they too will be evident. LEAST FLYCATCHER - (5+) - Singing WARBLING VIREO - (8+) - There was a definite influx. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - (25) - Several small groups amongst many more White-throated Sparrows. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER - (1+) - Bird(s) observed in several different places, flying back and forth RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER - (1 Male) - Loop Woods YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER - (lots and lots) Elsewhere in the Park and later in the morning, many more goodies were found: SOLITARY SANDPIPER - (1) - Observed in a puddle on the road by Blue Heron! WHITE-EYED VIREO - (1) - Blue Heron CANADA WARBLER - (2) - Northwest Beach and seasonal birding trail along west beach, south of VC NORTHERN PARULA - (3) - Woodland Nature Trail (W.N.T.) & Northwest Beach PURPLE FINCH - (2) - W.N.T. ORCHARD ORIOLE - (3) - Tip and Post Woods. These were the first for the spring. CAROLINA WREN - (1) - Sleepy Hollow WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - (100+) - Northwest Beach GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER - (1) - W.N.T. CERULEAN WARBLER - (1 Male) - Seasonal birding trail along west beach (south of VC) RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD - (1) - Tip BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER - (1) - W.N.T . PURPLE FINCH - (2) - W.N.T. SWAINSON'S THRUSH - (1) - AMERICAN PIPIT - (2) - Tip There was a definite movement of birds south towards the tip, at least in the vicinity of the tip itself. Some were observed flying south over the tip and into the fog. Further north, others reported that most birds were actaually moving north. For those interested in odonates, several Common Green Darner were also evident shortly after the rain stopped. The female SUMMER TANAGER has not been reported today. It was last seen near the west beach, just north of the Tip train loop, yesterday after lunch. Good Birding, John Haselmayer, Karl Konze, Dave Martin, Pete Read, Alan Wormington Staff, Friends of Point Pelee ************************************************************************ Point Pelee National Park and the Friends of Point Pelee are pleased to present the 2003 Festival of Birds from April 26 to May 26. This years events include daily hikes, County Hot Spot Tours, "Birders Breakfast" and much. For more information, please visit www.wincom.net/~fopp/ or www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/ne/ne4_e.asp. Birders may also be interested in the free shorebird hikes offered by Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) at the new shorebird impoundment starting this weekend. - To contact the Friends of Point Pelee please call 519-326-6173, fax 519-326-7925 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] - For general park information, please call 519-322-2365. - To contact ERCA, please call 519-776-5209. ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Friends of Point Pelee <[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.
