I was in Thunder Bay for a meeting on May 27, and so flew up on the morning of May 26. This gave me 4 - 5 hours of birding on Monday afternoon that started with rain and a cold wind blowing off the lake. By 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. the sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. I was able to pick up some warblers I’d not seen at Pelee or locally, see some warblers in larger numbers and see some more northern species. In total there were 49 species. I tried to get to Mission Island Conservation Area first, but found that the bridge referred to in my 1995 edition of Clive Goodwin A Bird-Finding Guide to Ontario is no longer in use, although it is possible to get there through a longer route, so I went on to Chippewa Park. The main feature was the variety of warblers that kept coming in little waves, as they searched actively and successfully for grubs. The most common bird here and elsewhere on the afternoon seemed to be American Redstart – they were everywhere. Blackburnian Warblers were present in good numbers – at one point I had two males and a female in one twelve-foot tree. Others included Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow-rumped, Blackpoll, Nashville, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Green. Black-capped and Boreal Chickadee were both present, as were Trail’s and Olive-sided Flycatchers (this latter close to the store) and Eastern Wood-Pewee. The cold weather meant that there was a lot of feeding activity among these and other species. The other active area was north-west of the intersection of highways 61 and 130. On highway 130 about 3 km from #61 was a small marsh where there were three male and at least one female Northern Parula. Checking both sides of the road gave Song, Chipping, Savannah, Swamp and Clay-colored Sparrows. This area, and side-roads nearby, added Yellow and Chestnut-sided Warblers, and another Olive-sided Flycatcher. Chippewa: in Thunder Bay turn off Arthur onto Syndicate which becomes Francis – 3 blocks and turn left on Ford then bear right on Frederica to James (highway 61A). There is a left turn over a swing bridge, and go to a T-junction – turn left, and follow the signs to Chippawa. Highway 61/ 130 intersection: From Chippewa go back to T-junction, but go straight ahead on 61A. This joins 61, turn left and go down to #130, turn right. Try the various side-roads off this. Sandy Darling Flamborough _______________________________________________ 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
