Rondeau Bird Report – Saturday May 10, 2008
Hello birders. Good birding and good weather attracted a strong showing of spring birders to Rondeau today. Their efforts were rewarded with impressive morning checklist tallies. The best locations, particularly for warblers, are Spicebush Trail, Tulip Tree Trail, Bennett Road and the Pony Barn. New arrivals today included Acadian Flycatcher (Pony Barn / Log Pond area) and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (South Point Trail). A Cerulean Warbler male is at Bennett Road. Yellow-throated Vireo was noted at two trails, and White-eyed Vireo continues to be seen regularly at the Pony Barn. Nearby sites outside the park have provided positive reports, including the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons (permit required). Shorebirds at Blenheim S.L. yesterday included at least 2 Willet and a Short-billed Dowitcher. Other noteworthy sightings there were 5 Black Terns and a good number of Ruddy Ducks. 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. _________________________________________________________________ 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
