Hello Ontbirders. The Rondeau Yellow-throated Warbler has changed its routine, after about 15 days. It has now discovered the feeders at the Visitor Centre. As of today, birders enjoying their coffee and muffins from the Friends can also enjoy the YTWA! The garden at the Visitor Centre has had 5 other species of warblers (including Blue-winged) this morning, as well as Pine Sisikins and 17 other species of songbirds. When the Yellow-throated Warbler leaves the VC, he sometimes returns to snack at feeders at #17372 Lakeshore Road. Birders are welcome to visit there, and may check the feeders in the backyard if the bird is not in its usual site in the front feeder.
A total of 21 species of warblers were reported in the park this morning. Highlights included Orange-crowned on South Point Trail, Blue-winged at the Visitor Centre, on Maintenance loop, Spicebush, and Tulip Tree; Northern Parula on the Maintenance Loop; Hooded on Maintenance Loop and Spicebush Trail; Yellow-breasted Chat on South point Trail, and Prothonotary on Tulip Tree Trail. Maintenance loop and South Point Trail were the best warbler sites this morning. Other noteworthy songbirds included the reliable White-eyed Vireo on South Point Trail. Eastern Bluebirds have been observed along Lakeshore Road south of the Visitor Centre. A Bobolink flying over on South Point Trail was unusual. A Clay-colored Sparrow was seen yesterday evening at the entrance to the campgrounds. On the raptor front, a Merlin was seen on South Point Trail and the Cooper's Hawks are once again nesting on the Tulip Tree Trail, but in a new improved location. During my hike on the Marsh Trail yesterday evening, we found 3 Soras, an American Bittern, 2 American Coots, good numbers of displaying American Woodcocks, Sandhill Cranes, a variety of waterfowl, and one planet (Saturn). Blake Mann also had Virginia Rail and Least Bittern. Visitors to the Blenheim Sewage lagoons yesterday reported the Eared Grebe that has been present for about 12 days. It was in cell #3. In the sprinkler system, there were 580 Dunlin, 39 Lesser Yellowlegs, 8 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Least Sandpiper and 4 Solitary Sandpipers. Thanks to Josh Vandermeulen for the posting. A big thank you to all of our loyal birders who take the time to report their sightings to us, and help to make these reports as comprehensive as possible! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rondeau Provincial Park welcomes birders! We have morning coffee and snacks waiting for early birders. Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Thursday May 5 and go through to Victoria Day. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Thursday May 5 to Monday May 23, 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; as well as 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. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a Birders' Breakfast/Lunch 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 14, at 7:00 pm. Peter Middleton of Quest Nature Tours will give a presentation entitled "Gardens and Birds." He will focus on how to do your gardening ecologically. Tickets are available from the Visitor Centre. A second special presentation that day will be offered by renowned birder and nature photographer Jean Iron. She will be giving us an in-depth look at northbound shorebirds. You had better pay attention, too - this is an interactive program and there WILL be a test afterwards! Contact the Visitor Centre for additional information. The Big Birding Competition is 24 consecutive hours during the weekend of May 7th - 8th. 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. Good birding! Steve Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide _______________________________________________ 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/
