Hello Ontbirders. The Rondeau Provincial Park spring birding program will wrap up today, with a last bird hike at 1 pm.
Good warblers today included a Hooded on south of Gardiner Ave. near the deer exclosure. The Yellow-breasted Chat was singing again on territory on South Point Trail past post #7. A Northern Waterthrush was singing persistently at the log pond at Pony Barn. As for other songbirds, the Cedar Waxwing movement continued, with birds spread abundantly throughout the park. Two Sedge Wrens were seen on the Marsh Trail. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was observed on the Maintenance Loop and White-eyed Vireo was found on South Point Trail. Scarlet Tanager was reported from the Maintenance Loop and the Pony Barn. One of a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers was seen visiting a nesting cavity near the Maintenance Loop. Non-passerines included a Sandhill Crane on the Marsh Trail. A flock of 20 Whimbrel flew over the Maintenance Loop. Yesterday evening, 5 Whip-poor-will were heard calling along Lakeshore between Rondeau Ave. and South Point parking lot, as well as one southwest of the Visitor Centre. A male Hooded Merganser on the South Point Trail was unusual for the park. Outside the park, a flock of 500 Black-bellied Plovers was seen yesterday in the onion fields near Erieau. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was also seen there. On Rose Beach Line, a flock of Whimbrel was noted today. Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, near the park, had 1 Red-necked Phalarope. Please see the sightings book and map at the lagoon entrance gate. See you all next year! Steve ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
