Hello Ontbirders. The Cattle Egret seen near Rondeau yesterday moved into the campgrounds in the evening. This morning, it was found intermittently at the trailer dumping station (beside the maintenance Loop), between 7:00 and 11:40 am.
We have not received reports of Yellow-throated Warbler today. I have been sent further confirmation that there were (at least) 2 birds in the park on May 9. The warbler of the day was a Kentucky seen and heard singing at the Group Campground (on Harrison Trail). There were 2 reports of Louisiana Waterthrush - one on Spicebush Trail and one on Bennett Road. Other highlights included Prothonotary on Tulip Tree Trail and Bennett Road; Northern Parula on Spicebush and Tulip Tree Trails; Northern Waterthrush on Bennett Road and Spicebush Trail; Mourning at Pony Barn and on Spicebush Trail; Hooded on Bennett Road and Spicebush Trail; Wilson's at the Beach #4 Access and at Maintenance Loop; and Canada at Bennett Road and Tulip Tree Trail. Aside from warblers, other songbirds of interest included White-eyed Vireo on South Point Trail; Scarlet Tanager on Spicebush and South Point Trails; Eastern Bluebird on Tulip Tree and Harrison Trail near the Maintenance Loop; Vesper Sparrow on Lakeshore Road 100 m south of Bennett Road; Lincoln's Sparrow at the Group Campground and on Harrison Trail. Thrush numbers continued to be high, and the movement of Blue Jays was prominent. Non-passerines featured Red-headed Woodpeckers near #17450 Lakeshore Road and at the Visitor Centre Garden / feeders; and Black-billed Cuckoo on Harrison Trail north of the Pony Barn. An impressive 26 species were seen in the bird garden / feeder area at the Visitor Centre. Many of the birds today were feeding on the ground, as cool weather and rain forced the insects down. Five species of swallows were visible sitting on the ground in the Boat launch parking lot, and on floating vegetation nearby. Those that were flying were very low indeed. We're all looking forward to milder conditions for the sake of the birds - not to mention the birders! Note also that our trees aren't leafed out yet, so the warblers and other birds remain much more visible here than at locations farther inland. Tomorrow's report will cover birds seen on my Marsh Trail hike this evening. On Wednesday's afternoon hike, I will visit the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, and I will post our results afterwards. I would like to thank all of the birders who have taken the time to report their sightings to us, helping 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. All proceeds will support the birding, interpretation and conservation programs at Rondeau Provincial Park. 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/
