Hello Ontbirders. A Yellow-throated Warbler continues to be seen near the Rondeau Visitor Centre. The most recent sighting was at 12:30 at the feeders there. It has also been seen nearby, e.g., at 11:30 am just north of the VC on Lakeshore Road.
There was an excellent variety of warblers sighted on the trails today, with a large influx overnight. A total of 27 species of warblers were seen this morning. Noteworthy birds included Blue-winged on Maintenance Loop; Golden-winged on South Point Trail; Orange-crowned on Bennett and South Point Trail; Northern Parula on Bennett, Spicebush and South Point; Blackpoll on Spicebush; Cerulean on Spicebush Trail and Tulip Tree Trails; Prothonotary on Tulip Tree Trail; Louisiana Waterthrush on Spicebush Trail; Wilson's on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail; and Canada on Spicebush Trail. Other songbirds of interest included a Clay-colored Sparrow on South Point Trail (near the last bench), White-eyed Vireo on South Point Trail, and Scarlet Tanager in the Campground and on Maintenance Loop. My afternoon hike yesterday visited the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. Sightings there included 2 Short-billed Dowitchers, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 30 Dunlins, 10 Least Sandpipers, and a remarkable 50 Bobolinks. Waterfowl included 12 Ruddy Ducks as well as both Green and Blue-winged Teals, Gadwall, Wood Duck, Lesser Scaup, and Bufflehead. A Tundra Swan reported earlier had apparently left before we arrived at 1 pm. 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/
