Foggy and mild conditions first thing this morning did not produce a fallout of birds at the Park. In fact, fewer songbirds were evident this morning, especially at the tip. Aside from the many Yellow Warblers present, only BLACKBURNIAN, NASHVILLE and MAGNOLIA were seen there. Even the Yellow-rumped Warblers seemed absent. The tip did produce a couple of interesting sighting, bot early in the morning. A pair of HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen off the east side briefly, before flying away north. Also present was an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. AMERICAN PIPITS are being reported almost daily now, flying overhead. Closer to the Tip Train Stop a MARSH WREN gave good looks to the crowds of birdwatchers lined up along the boardwalk. A MERLIN has also been seen flying past the Tip Area the past few days. Other noteworthy birds reported this morning included WHITE-EYED VIREO in Post Woods, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER north of the Tip Train Stop, NORTHERN PARULA and a late DARK-EYED JUNCO just north of Sparrow Field, and BOBOLINKS flying north overhead. Our first BLACKPOLL WARBLER of the spring was observed at Tilden's Woods. Both ORCHARD and BALTIMORE ORIOLES as well as ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS are now common, SCARLET TANAGERS are being reported less frequently. Other than a few scattered reports of Indigo Bunting from a few days ago, we have yet to see this species in any numbers. The same is true for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The next good flight of birds should bring them both in. Also reported after yesterdays ONTBIRDS post were the following species: WHITE-WINGED DOVE - Discovered by Paul Pratt opposite Pelee Wings (north of the Park) LAUGHING GULL (adult) - Tip Prairie Warbler - Blue Heron Clay-colored Sparrow - Blue Heron Canada Warbler - Blue Heron Golden-winged Warbler - West beach Trail Yellow-billed Cuckoo - West Beach Trail Acadian Flycatcher - Woodland Nature Trail Willow Flycatcher - Sanctuary American Tree Sparrow (late) - West Beach opposite Old Camp Henry Golden-crowned Kinglet (late) - Loop Woods Peregrine Falcon - Hillman Marsh The NEOTROPIC CORMORANT was NOT reported yesterday. We will continue to update its status daily. Good Birding, Friends of Point Pelee John Haselmayer, Karl Konze, Ross Mackintosh, Dave Martin, Pete Read and Alan Wormington **************************** Point Pelee National Park of Canada and the Friends of Point Pelee brings you the Festival of Birds 2005, from April 30 - May 31. The Friends of Point Pelee offers daily birding hikes, including evening hikes from Wednesday to Saturday to May 21. Quest Nature Tours and Bushnell Performance Optics sponsor County Bus Tours on May 7 & 14. First Annual Fundraising Dinner, Friday, May 13 with guest speaker, Chris Earley. Visit www.pc.gc.ca/pelee or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] for more information. *********************************************
