Good morning. Further to Steve LaForest’s post of yesterday.
Ian Cannell, Jay Peterson and I spent the day at Rondeau yesterday and though birding was relatively slow we did come up with 106 species ( without shorebirds and only 5 waterfowl ). Along the Rondeau Road in the morning after we passed the maintenance buildings area we saw 3 Whip-poor-Wills and 9 Woodcock on the road and heard many Wood Thrush as we drove along. At Campground #199 as we watched the Prairie Warbler a nice male Parula Warbler and 3 Black-throated Green Warblers joined it and close by were 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers.. Along the Spice Bush trail we found an Acadian Flycatcher fly catching low through the bushes as well as 2 Least Flycatchers, Wood Ducks and a Green Heron and at the start of the trail as we stood on the road a Pileated Woodpecker landed in a tree in front of us.. Along the Southpoint Trail was an Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Waterthrushes, Ovenbirds, Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Wood, Swainson`s and Hermit Thrushes, many Gnatcatchers, White-eyed Vireo, Warbling and Blue-headed Vireos, Sandhill Cranes, A. Pipit, Forster’s Terns, 2 Merlins, and we also found the aforementioned Chat and Blue-winged Warbler. At # 17372 Lakeshore Road (just north of the visitor Centre) besides the nice Yellow-throated Warbler we found this a great spot to just stand and let the birds come to us. Some of them were E. Bluebird, Red-headed, Red-bellied Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Flickers, both Nuthatches, Tufted Titmouse, Pine Siskins, Purple and House Finches, N. Mockingbird, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Carolina and House Wrens, E. Phoebe and Ruby-throated Hummingbird and overhead we spotted Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk and 2 Sandhill Cranes. A nice trip and for those who like Woodpeckers we did find 6 species including 7 Red-headed and 14 Red-bellied through out. This weekend does look good for an increase in new arrivals but of course I may be wrong. Directions: RONDEAU PROVINCIAL PARK (Fee- $13.00 per day for you young guys and $8.50 for an old guy like me). Exit Hwy 401 at exit # 101 and drive south on Kent Bridge Road ( County Rd 15 ) straight through Troy, Eatonville and New Scotland. After passing through a marshy area turn right ( west ) on Wildwood Line ( County Road 17 ) and drive 1 km to the park gate. You can ask at the gate for directions to the Visitor Centre ( 5 to 6 km from gate ) or any other info you feel you need. On the way to the Visitor Centre if many birds have arrived ( ask birders along the road ) you may want to stop at the Spice Bush Trail ( 2 or 3 km from gate ) or walk down Bennett Avenue - opposite the Spice Bush trail. The most popular trail out from the Visitor Centre is the Tulip Tree Trail but check at the desk as birds can be anywhere and they will tell you of the latest sightings.. Note: The Rondeau Provincial Park Visitor Centre is open year-round.” See below for May”. In June, the Visitor Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to p.m.. During July and August it is open daily, 10 am to p.m.. In the fall and winter the hours are reduced. Phone (519) 674 -1768 for further details. May 2nd – 23rd Birding Season! Festival of Flight. Activities Include: Birder’s breakfast/lunch 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Daily; Expert led Bird Hikes 2 hikes per day (times and locations pending); Big Birding Competition Team up to see how many birds you can spot in the park within 24 hours. Another Note: There is a convenience store along the 1 km between the turn towards the gate and the gate that has coffee, soft drinks, etc.. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, Ontario _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
