Report for May 3, 2003 (Saturday): Today the birding remains excellent, with warblers and an abundance of other migrants throughout Rondeau. In total, 25 warbler species have thus far been reported this year.
YESTERDAY (May 2) a Kentucky Warbler was present on Tulip Tree Trail at Post #8 it was present there again today (May 3). Also yesterday, the 7:00 p.m. hike on the Marsh Trail recorded Sandhill Crane and a singing Sedge Wren. Today Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Chestnut- sided, Blackburnian and Blue-winged Warblers have been widely reported. Active areas include South Point Trail and Maintenance Area. Other birds reported today include Cerulean Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow- breasted Chat (all South Point Trail), Yellow-throated Vireo (Maintenance) and Hooded Warbler (Tulip Tree Trail). Red-headed Woodpeckers are regular at the VC feeder, Maintenance Area and Campground. On Tuesday there was a controlled burn in some sections of Rondeau interestingly enough many birds are highly attracted to these areas as (presumably) it is much easier to forage when the ground cover (dead leaves) is gone. Its certainly an unique experience to see birds such as Ovenbird, Wood Thrush, Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, and numerous warblers and sparrows, etc., hopping around on the black-charred ground. Probably the best place to see this phenomena is the beach area south of the start of the South Point Trail (south end of Lakeshore Road). 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): 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 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.
