I'm forwarding this for Steve LaForest. Carolyn King __________________________________
Hello Ontbirders. Spring migrants are streaming into Rondeau Provincial Park. Birders have reported a major influx in the last few days, including a variety of warblers, vireos, flycatchers and thrushes. Good birding locations include the nature trails (especially Tulip Tree, Spicebush and South Point), the Maintenance area, and along Rondeau Road. The Marsh Trail is an excellent vantage point for viewing the Bald Eagles at their nest and wetland birds. Highlights at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons include a Snow Goose (blue morph), good numbers of various ducks, and a flock of nine Dunlin. Shorebird habitat is lacking there at present due to high water levels. Thanks to Blake Mann for the Rondeau and area update! I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Saturday May 2 to Monday May 18, inclusive (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 am and 1:00 pm; Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 am and 7:00 pm; Friday at 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1:00 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7:00 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1:00 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a Birders' Breakfast for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups and treats) daily from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Visitor Centre. There will also be a special new program on Saturday May 9, at 7:00 pm. This evening presentation will focus on spring migration at Rondeau. Tickets for "An Evening in the Forest with LaForest" are available from the Visitor Centre. Please note that there will be no bird hike at 1:00 pm on this day - Saturday May 9. An additional event on Saturday May 9 is the Big Day Birding Competition. For details on this 24-hour Bird-a-thon, contact the Visitor Centre. More information on the park's nature programs and the Friends of Rondeau is available at the Friends' website: www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca. Directions: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Turn right and follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 2 - 18. To reach the Visitor Centre from the park Gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave., then follow it around the bend to the parking lot. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
