Good morning, Lighter winds, sunshine and warmer temperatures were a welcome break from the heavy winds of the past two days. Bird activity was much the same as yesterday, except that most of the birds looked quite a bit more vigourous this morning. Only one group of swallows were still huddled together on the east beach at the tip. However as the sun moved higher in the sky and tempertures rose, more and more began to depart and take to the skies.
The east beach at the tip remained a good place to view birds this morning. Most unusual was two female HOODED WARBLERS, often seen flitting after insects on the sand and vegetation along the edge. One of the females looked almost identical to an adult male with an extensive black hood, except for the fact that it had a small area of yellow below the bill. Also observed along the east beach at the tip was a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and an assortment of warblers including PALM, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, WILSON'S and BLACKBURNIAN. Also unusual was a SWAINSON'S THRUSH in the open on the beach. Other highlights reported thus far include: *** MISSISSIPPI KITE - (1 1st summer) - flying north over the parking lot *** LITTLE BLUE HERON - (1 adult breeding) - sitting in a tree south of the Sparrow Field Kentucky Warbler - (1) - Tilden's Woods (probably the same bird as the past few days) Grasshopper Sparrow - (1) - Sparrow Field Eastern Bluebird - (2) - Tip Yellow-breasted Chat - (2) - Sparrow Field and Tilden's Woods Northern Mockingbird - (1) - Group Campground Acadian Flycatcher-(1)- Woodland Nature Trail, s. of post 8 Broad-winged Hawk-(1)- Northern Parula-(2)-Woodland Nature Trail and one at tip Outside the Park, the orange RUFF reported from Wheatley Provincial Park a few days ago, was refound on the west side of Wheatley Harbour yesterday (May 12) evening in some flooded fields. Also present there was a single WILLET, amongst other more common species. Five STILT SANDPIPERS were present at Wheatley Provincial Park on May 12, at the same spot were the Ruff was previously (campsite # 192). The FISH CROW has not be reported today. 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. - 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.
