Rondeau Bird Report – Friday May 9, 2008 - evening
Good evening birders. Warbler enthusiasts observed 24 species today. At the top of the list was a male Prairie Warbler, singing along Rondeau Road. Other sought-after species included Prothonotary and Blue-winged (each reported from four sites), as well as Cerulean and Hooded (each seen at two locations). Many species were seen in good numbers, including 6 Northern Parula on Spicebush Trail alone. Yellow-throated Vireo was noted at two trails, and White-eyed Vireo has been seen regularly at the Pony Barn. Scarlet Tanagers still seem to be in rather low numbers here, but migrating Veerys and Swainson’s Thrushes are on the increase. Outside of Rondeau, we have received reports from several nearby sites. Blenheim Sewage Lagoons (permit required) had Willet (at least 2, and possibly 3 or 4), Short-billed Dowitcher – 1, Least Sandpiper – 1, Lesser Yellowlegs ~5, Dunlin ~40, Lesser Yellowlegs ~5, Ruddy Duck ~~20, Black Tern – 5, a Horned Grebe and Bobolink. Sinclair’s Bush C.A. sightings included Worm-eating Warbler and Golden-winged Warbler. Good birding. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. There will also be a special program, on Saturday May 10 at 7 pm - an evening presentation about the spring migration at Rondeau entitled “An Evening in the forest with LaForest” (contact the Visitor Centre re tickets). Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Rondeau park entrance, take Chatham-Kent 15 (Kent Bridge Road) north ~6 km to Chatham-Kent Road 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly Hwy 3). Turn left and take Talbot Trail ~11 km to Blenheim (where it turns south). Continue 3 km to Lagoon Rd. Turn right. The lagoons are a short distance north on the right side. For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Hwy 401, take exit 90 and follow Chatham-Kent Road 11 (Communications Road) south for 10 km to Blenheim. Turn right on Chatham-Kent 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly Hwy 3) and go ~3 km to Lagoon Road. Turn right and go a short distance north to the lagoons on the right side. For Sinclair’s Bush C.A., from Rondeau PP entrance, take Chatham-Kent 15 (Kent Bridge Road) 4.5 km north to Sinclair Line. Turn left and go 7 km. The C.A. is on the right. _________________________________________________________________ Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212_______________________________________________ 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
