Hello Ontbirders.
After an intense overnight rainstorm and thundershowers, we had a very rainy morning of strong winds here in the park. Hopes for a significant fallout at South Point, etc., failed to materialize. Later in the morning, the sky cleared and winds abated, making for a great sunny day on Rondeau's birding trails. Today's warbler list reached 27 species. The best of these was a KENTUCKY on Tulip Tree Trail. This may well be the same individual seen in exactly the same location on May 8, to the west of the interpretive sign explaining controlled burns. Other highlights included CERULEAN on Harrison Trail and at the Pony Barn, a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at campsite #3, BLUE-WINGED on Bennett Road and Spicebush Trail and Tulip Tree Trail, ORANGE-CROWNED on Spicebush Trail and MOURNING on Spicebush and Tulip Tulip Tree Trails. A male PROTHONOTARY has been seen regularly on Tulip Tree Trail entering nest boxes #23 and 24. Additional PROTHONOTARYS were observed on Spicebush Trail and at the beginning of the Marsh Trail. Late migrants included a DARK-EYED JUNCO in the Group Campground and 6 Pine Siskins at the Pony Barn. Other good birds were WHITE-EYED and YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS at Tulip Tree Trail and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW on Lakeshore Road at cottage #17222. As for shorebirds, some early WHIMBREL were seen and photographed flying south off of the Dog Beach. I have had no further reports of the LAUGHING GULL that was seen yesterday on the pier near the Park Store. It was last seen flying northwest across the bay. At the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, the EARED GREBE was seen again today in Pond #3 (see the map in the Bird Sightings Book beside the lagoon entrance). Please record your noteworthy sightings for the lagoons in the sightings book there. I would also appreciate receiving messages concerning observations at the lagoons and other Rondeau area birding locations (e.g., Erieau) for posting on Ontbirds and to forward to the local Bird Records Committee. ----------------------------------------------- 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 Birder's Breakfast for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups and treats) daily from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm at 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 Birders and photographers are reminded not to play recordings of bird calls to attract birds in the park, as this interferes with nesting activities and other vital behaviours. 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 from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 2 - 18). Please note that Rondeau Road is presently closed (to protect snake populations) between Bennett Road and the Visitor Centre). To reach the Visitor Centre from the Park Gate, turn left (east) on Rondeau Ave., then right (south) at the traffic circle onto Lakeshore Road and go 6 km south to Gardiner Ave., then turn into the parking lot. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Vistor Centre (519) 674-1768 _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live helps you keep up with all your friends, in one place. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9660826_______________________________________________ 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/
