Hello Ontbirders. Yesterday evening on the Marsh Trail, I had an excellent turnout of birds and birders. We had been wondering where our Bald Eagles would breed this year, and finally spotted an adult on a nest in the marsh. Newly arrived were 3 Common Nighthawks. The highlight of the outing was a chance to see displaying American Woodcock and Whip-poor-will sitting on the road, as well as calling. We also observed American Bittern, Great Blue Herons Sandhill Cranes, and a variety of other wetland species. A Great Horned Owl was also heard calling, as well as a Least Bittern.
Our warbler tally for this morning was 24 species. The best location was Bennett Road (at the first bench east of Spicebush trail parking lot) where a male and female Prothonotary Warbler were actively feeding just a few metres from the road. Spicebush Trail was also very productive, especially at the first boardwalk. Good birds for this morning included Blue-winged on Spicebush Trail; Northern Parula on Spicebush Trail; Blackpoll on Spicebush and Tulip Tree Trails; Cerulean on the Maintenance Loop; Hooded on the Maintenance Loop and on Spicebush Trail; Mourning on Spicebush Trail; Wilson's on Maintenance Loop, Spicebush Trail and Tulip Tree Trail; and Canada Warbler on Bennett Road and Spicebush Trail. In the "songbird-but-not-a-warbler" category, Yellow-throated Vireo was seen on South Point Trail; Gray-cheeked Thrush was seen on Spicebush Trail; and Scarlet Tanager was noted on Bennett Road. In other birding news, Black-billed Cuckoos were seen on Spicebush Trail, and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen on Rondeau Road. A Bald Eagle was seen on South Point Trail. 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. TODAY - please join the Friends of Rondeau for 'AN EVENING IN THE FOREST' 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. Another presentation that day at 3:00 pm today 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/
