Hello Ontbirders.
Our warbler total for this morning is 26 species plus one hybrid.
Highlights include Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Brewster’s, Cerulean, Hooded,
Orange-crowned, Northern Parula and Yellow-breasted Chat. The Prothonotary
Warbler has been seen on Tulip Tree Trail entering nest boxes for the second
consecutive day.
There have been no reports yet today of the male Townsend’s Warbler. It was
found on Harrison Trail just north of the Pony Barn at 9 to 10 am yesterday,
then again in the same location from 5 to 7:30 pm by many observers. I have
heard rumours that photographs may have been taken, but have had no
confirmation yet. I would appreciate it if anyone with photographs would
please contact me. I will post an update re the Townsend’s just as soon as we
receive any additional information. Other good warblers seen yesterday evening
include Kentucky (probably two) and Prairie.
Non-passerines also had their moments. The best of these was a Franklin’s
Gull (first summer) seen this morning on South Point Trail.
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]
------------------------------------------------------------------
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
_________________________________________________________________
Create a cool, new character for your Windows Live™ Messenger.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9656621_______________________________________________
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/
