Hello Ontbirders. The Rondeau Provincial Park spring birding program will run from Saturday May 1 through to May 24, Victoria Day. There will be daily Bird Hikes and a Birders' Breakfast / Lunch.
Good warblers this morning included Prothonotary on Tulip Tree Trail near the nest boxes, Mourning behind the Visitor Centre and Yellow-breasted Chat on South Point Trail past post #7. The chat has been in the same location on territory for close to 2 weeks. Large numbers of thrushes have moved into the park. Dozens of Swainson's Thrushes and many Veeries were everywhere on Spicebush and other trails. There were also several Gray-cheeked Thrushes on Spicebush Trail. On the Marsh Trail yesterday evening, sightings included 3 Black Terns, 2 Common Nighthawks, and 6 Forster's Terns. Whip-poor-will and many American Woodcock were calling. At the nearby Blenheim Sewage lagoons, there have been no further sightings of the Curlew Sandpiper seen on May 17. The Red-necked Phalarope was seen again yesterday evening at the sprinkler system but has not yet been reported today. Note that it is also being seen swimming with the ducks. Other shorebirds seen there yesterday included 14 Least Sandpipers, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 1 Solitary Sandpiper. The female Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen this morning at 9:00 am. BIRDING ETIQUETTE Birders and photographers are cautioned regarding the importance of following proper birding etiquette within Rondeau Provincial Park. Please refrain from any use of electronic devices or tapes to call birds, which harass our wildlife, while in the park. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and compliance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Bird Hike schedule has been changed slightly from last year. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Saturday May 1 to Monday May 24, inclusive (fee $5), as follows: Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday at 7:30 am and 1:00 pm Tuesday and Friday at 7:30 am and 7:00 pm; Wednesday 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 Wednesday at 1:00 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. New for this year, permits for the Sewage Lagoons will be available from the Rondeau Visitor Centre 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 15, at 7:00 pm. This evening presentation will focus on spring migration at Rondeau. Tickets are available from the Visitor Centre. Please note that there will be no bird hike at 1:00 pm on this day - Saturday May 15. The birding competition is 24 consecutive hours during the weekend of May 7th-9th. For details on this bird-a-thon, contact 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. Directions for park: 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 1 - 24. 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. Directions for Sewage Lagoons (courtesy of Irene Woods): Blenheim is on #3 H [Talbot Rd]. in Chatham-Kent. Take # 3 H West out of Blenheim, about 1 km. You will see a car wash at the corner of Lagoon Rd., turn right [ North]. Go about 1/2 km. and you will see a small locked gate [ see below]. Enter at this gate only. Please park on the lagoon side of the road--only. Permit required (available from Rondeau Visitor Centre, etc.) Good birding! Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 _______________________________________________ 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/
