Hello Ontbirders.
The change of weather overnight has swept more warblers into Rondeau. In
the fog this morning, birders managed to relocate yesterday’s Prairie Warbler
at the Pony Barn parking lot. An Orange-crowned Warbler was also seen nearby,
along Harrison Trail beyond the red gate. As the mist burned off, birders
reported back with respectable tallies of warblers from Tulip Tree Trail,
Spicebush Trail, Bennett Road, and the Pony Barn. The 2 Blue-winged Warblers
and a Golden-winged Warbler on Tulip Tree Trail provided good views. Our
warbler total for this morning is 20 species.
Not all of our new migrants were warblers! Other songbird arrivals included
Gray-cheeked Thrush on South Point Trail and Alder Flycatcher on Tulip Tree
Trail. A Northern Mockingbird, challenging to find in the park, has been
reported daily at the Dog Beach. Likewise, 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers have been
seen regularly at a cottage just to the south of the Dog Beach, and one has
also been visiting the Visitor Centre feeders. Pine Siskins were still present
in the park, most recently observed at #17372 Lakeshore Road.
Starting at dusk, American Woodcock are calling and displaying daily at a
number of locations. Whip-poor-wills are calling on the Marsh Trail and at the
Visitor Centre.
At the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, the Eared Grebe seen May 3 and 4 was not
seen yesterday. The highlight there is a Wilson’s Phalarope, seen on the
afternoon of May 6. Other shorebirds include good numbers of Lesser and
Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin, and a single Semipalmated Sandpiper. I will visit
the lagoons with the Friends of Rondeau bird hike Friday afternoon at 1:00 pm.
The Annual Rondeau Big Day Birding Competition
Saturday May 9th and Sunday May 10th
The Friends of Rondeau and Rondeau Provincial Park challenge you to
participate in the Annual Rondeau Big Day Birding Competition! Let’s see how
many birds you can find in Rondeau in just 24 hours! The winner(s) will have
their name inscribed on the Rondeau Plaque which will remain on display in the
Visitor Centre.
The area for the competition has been changed this year. All birds must be
seen or heard within the Rondeau Provincial Park Boundaries.
Registration is free and will be on Saturday at the Rondeau Visitor Centre
starting at 7:00 am. For more information please contact the Visitor Centre at
519-674-1768 or [email protected]
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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 -
Sat. May 9.
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
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