Hello Ontbirders, There have been no further reports of the KIRTLAND'S WARBLER seen yesterday at noon on the South Point Trail, about 1/2 km south of the South Point parking lot. The observers have indicated that they will provide a full written description, which will be forwarded to the Ontario Bird Records Committee.
Despite a light drizzle in the early afternoon, our warbler count du jour still managed to reach 26 species. Essentially all of our Rondeau birding trails contributed good tallies, and most species were seen at quite a number of different locations. Today's flocks included a much higher proportion of females, especially for MAGNOLIAS. CEDAR WAXWINGS were still on the move, with flocks numbering up to about 60 birds, mostly near South Point. Other birds of note were SUMMER TANAGER at Bennett Road and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS at the Maintenance Loop and on Tulip Tree Trail. Shorebirds in the area yesterday included 4 SANDERLINGS on the Erieau south pier and 2 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS seen from the road into Erieau. Today there were 8 RUDDY TURNSTONES and 4 DUNLIN at the Erieau south pier. Not a shorebird, but on the shore at McGeachy's Pond, was an AMERICAN BITTERN. I did not receive any reports of sightings at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons today. 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 Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o 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/
