Hello Ontbirders. A Yellow-throated Warbler continues to be seen at the Rondeau Visitor Centre (e.g., at 8:45 am). It has also been observed this morning at other locations nearby, including at 10:15 am at a cottage just south of the VC on Lakeshore Road.
There was a good variety of warblers sighted on the trails this morning. Noteworthy birds included Blue-winged on Spicebush and Harrison Trails; and Cerulean on Spicebush Trail. A Louisiana Waterthrush was also checked off on the sightings board for Spicebush Trail. A very late Fox Sparrow was seen on South Point Trail, near the last bench. The LeConte's Sparrow has not been reported yet today. On the Marsh Trail hike yesterday evening, we saw an adult Bald Eagle, Sora, 2 Sandhill Cranes, many American Woodcock doing display flights and a variety of waterfowl. The highlight was a chorus of Whip-poor-wills, and a bird seen in the headlights sitting on the trail and flying up moth-catching - seen well by the entire group. The frog chorus was almost deafening. My afternoon hike today will visit the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. I will report our observations in my next posting. Birders are reminded that a permit is required should they wish to visit on their own - available from the Rondeau Visitor Centre or online from Chatham - Kent Offices. Your cooperation will ensure that we birders continue to have access to the lagoons. When you visit, please use the pedestrian access gate ONLY, and park on the same side of the road as the lagoons. Be sure to close and lock the gate behind you. Sightings may be written into the log book located just inside the gate. I would like to thank all of the birders who have taken the time to report their sightings to us, and help to make these Ontbirds 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. Please join the Friends of Rondeau for 'An Evening in the Forest' on Saturday May 14 at 7:30 pm. Peter Middleton will present 'Garden & Birds'. Coffee & dessert will be served after the presentation. Tickets are $10 a person and all proceeds are used to support birding activities in Rondeau. Contact the Visitor Centre for tickets and additional information. A second presentation that day at 3:00 pm will be offered by birder and nature photographer Jean Iron. She will be giving us an in-depth look at northbound shorebirds. Contact the Visitor Centre for additional information. Good birding! Steve Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
