Hello Ontbirders, The KIRTLAND'S WARBLER seen yesterday on South Point Trail about 1/2 km south of the parking lot has not been reported yet today, as of 12:30 pm. Twenty-five species of warblers were seen this morning. The best of these was a CERULEAN on South Point Trail. Other noteworthy sightings included BLUE-WINGED on Harrison Trail, at Pony Barn and on South Point Trail; and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT in the Campgrounds and on South Point Trail. MOURNING, BLACKPOLL, CANADA and WILSON'S have been observed at a number of sites. The PROTHONOTARY was seen regularly on Tulip Tree Trail near the PROTHONOTARY sign.
Regarding other songbirds, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen at the Maintenance Loop, and WHITE-EYED VIREO was noted at Bennett Road and at South point Trail. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW has been singing persistently at #17266 Lakeshore, just south of the Visitor Centre, for several days now. At the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons yesterday, the EARED GREBE was in Pond 3 and a male RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was in Pond #2. Other shorebirds included a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, 8 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and 100+ DUNLIN. For the lagoons, please be sure to park on the lagoon side of the road only, and don't block the vehicle gate. I would 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 pm. 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. The 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. More information on the Park's nature programs and the Friends of Rondeau is available at the Friends' web site: 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 Boards, 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, drive 6 km south to Gardiner Ave., then follow the road around to the parking lot. Steve LaForest Frined of Rondeau Bird Guide c/0 Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 _________________________________________________________________ Internet explorer 8 lets you browse the web faster. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9655582_______________________________________________ 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/
