Apologies for the late posting; we were all involved in the Botham Cup bird race and 'out of commission.'
The 24-hour All-Green (bicycle and foot) Botham Cup bird race finished yesterday afternoon, with 8 teams finding a total of 148 species on the island. The winning team was the 'Swollen-rumped Warblers' led by Peter Burke, finding 124 species. Highlights of the bird race were a LAUGHING GULL on Friday evening (May 12) at Lighthouse Point (possibly the Point Pelee bird?), a late HARLEQUIN DUCK, May 12 off Mill Point, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 HOODED WARBLERS, KENTUCKY WARBLER, and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. PIBO banded WHITE-EYED VIREO, KENTUCKY, BLUE-WINGED, and HOODED WARBLERS at Fish Point. Total of species observed in May: 169 Paul Carter, Rob Tymstra, Ron Tiessen Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0 (519) 724-2291 "pimuseum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----------------------------------------- There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island until May 20. Cost is $5.00 which includes admission to Heritage Centre. Meet in front of the Centre at the foot of West Dock every day at 8:00 a.m. Check into the Centre for details on best birding areas and current rarities. The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, due south of the West Dock. Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and census operation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please contact the Heritage Centre or check the website: www.pibo.ca Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220.
