Friends of Point Pelee provide guided birding hikes throughout the Festival of Birds at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Proceeds from hikes support the Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park. This submitted report is a service of the Friends of Point Pelee Hike Leaders.
Point Pelee National Park Migration Update for: MAY 17, 2011 Overcast conditions and cool northeast winds greeted birders in the Park this morning. Many birds are scattered throughout the Park. No sign of the two Fish Crows seen yesterday, but someone will post if they are found again. Many birds are down low offering birders great viewing as they forage for whatever they can find. Unfortunately some birds did not survive the night from the cold and lack of food. One bedraggled Canada Warbler was feeding under the boardwalk in Tilden Woods. A full alternate plumaged Summer Tanager was foraging in the picnic shelter on West Beach Parking lot, and as well on the side of the Visitor Centre, feeding on insects in spider webs. On several trails near and south of the Visitor Centre an Evening Grosbeak and several Pine Siskins were reported. Down at the Tip there were 4 Great Black-backed Gulls and a first basic Lesser Black-backed Gull. All three scoter species were flying past. Some birds were involved in orientation flights, and few if any were reported coming across the Lake. Passerines at the Tip included Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Mourning Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo, and Blackpoll Warbler. A Merlin was hunting along the shore at the Tip. All three scoters and a Long-tailed Duck were reported off West Beach Parking lot. As well, a female King Eider was offshore of the West Beach Trail. Along Woodland Trail, not far south of the Visitor Centre, a Kentucky Warbler was reported on the west side. As well there was a Prothonotary Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler over near the first north bridge. A roosting Common Nighthawk was found near post 18. Acadian Flycatcher was reported from the short loop on the Woodland Nature Trail. Tilden Woods had many species including Acadian Flycatcher, Mourning Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Canada Warbler, Grey-cheeked Thrush, Hooded Warbler, and a Common Nighthawk in the large walnut near the corner with Centennial Trail. Outside the Park: Just outside the Park on E concession a Marbled Godwit was found near the flooded horse paddock. Yesterday, the onion fields held few shorebirds but many gulls, including Glaucous, Iceland and Lesser Black-backed. A Thayer’s Gull was reported from Wheatley Harbour yesterday. Hillman’s Marsh held about 2000 Dunlin yesterday but no other shorebirds except Killdeer. Good Birding, Hike Leaders: PETE, Karl, Todd, Justin, Marianne, John, Ellen, Alvan and Jeremy FESTIVAL OF BIRDS APRIL 30, 2011 THROUGH MAY 23, 2011 Point Pelee National Park of Canada and Friends of Point Pelee For more information on the festival and archived Point Pelee Migration Reports, please check our www.festivalofbirds.ca FOLLOW the park on Twitter.com/PointPeleeNP _______________________________________________ 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/
