Report for May 8, 2003 (Thursday): Migration was relatively slow today, but pockets of migrants were found throughout the park. Best location seemed to be the start of the Marsh Trail. But there were numerous uncommon and rare species seen.
Highlights today (May 8) include the following: EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE at the south end of Lakeshore Road, S of the Visitor Centre (Alan Wormington) -- surprisingly the bird has not been seen since first found at 8:00 a.m., but it must be somewhere along Lakeshore Road amongst the many cottages, etc. Prairie Warbler at the start of Marsh Trail Orange-crowned Warblers were seen at several locations including South Point Trail, start of Marsh Trail, and just outside the Park gate (crab-apple tree). Peregrine Falcon at South Point Trail Tufted Titmouse on Tulip Tree Trail. Yesterday (May 7) there was a Wilsons Phalarope at the Ridgetown sewage ponds (visible from the viewing platform along Palmer Street). Just outside the park gate at the intersection, the famous flowering crab- apple tree is now in bloom. This tree is always an easy place to see Ruby- throated Hummingbird, Baltimore & Orchard Orioles, and (soon) Cape May Warbler. The Blenhein sewage lagoons have a good variety of ducks including many Ruddy Ducks. There is limited habitat for shorebirds, although a field adjacent to the north side had thousands of gulls including hundreds of Bonapartes Gulls. In the grassy meadow at the north side of the lagoons, a Western Meadowlark was present on Monday May 5 (Steve Charbonneau). Note that a free permit is required to visit the site, available from the town office in downtown Blenheim. Alan Wormington, Friends of Rondeau ************************************************* DAILY BIRDING HIKES WITH AN EXPERT (free): May 1-19 and May 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: 6:00 p.m. in Ridgetown -- 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.
