Both sides of Point Pelee remain iced in with no open water for several kilometres to the south, east and west. Common and Red-breasted Mergansers can be seen flying over the Tip, but the usual raft of waterfowl off the East Beach at this time of year is not within visual range.
The flocks of over-wintering American Robins and Cedar Waxwings are seen regularly around the Park, including the Train drop off area at the Tip and the Sanctuary parking lot, or generally where ever there is still fruit on the Northern Hackberry trees. An over-wintering mixed flock consisting of Black-capped Chickadee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco are consistently seen on the Tilden Woods and Chinquapin Oak Trails. Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Cardinal and Blue Jay have also consistently been seen on these trails. The first Brown Creepers of the season were reported this week south of the Sparrow Field and on the Woodland Nature Trail, and Eastern Screech Owls have been observed on nests at several locations within the Park. The Onion Fields outside the Park have small flocks of Horned Lark and Snow Bunting. Visitors to Point Pelee National Park should note that the bridge over the Sturgeon Creek from the Bevel Line Road to Point Pelee Drive is closed for repair until April 2008. To access the Park go east on Seacliff Drive East from Erie Street South in Leamington. Continue east on Seacliff Drive past the Bevel Line turn-off to Concession Road 12. Turn Right on Concession 12 and join up with Point Pelee Drive at Paula's Restaurant. Submitted by Todd Pepper for Friends of Point Pelee Janice Rogers, General Manager Friends of Point Pelee 519-326-6173 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.friendsofpointpelee.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
