Hello Ontbirders. The Rondeau Visitor Centre now has a flock of interesting warblers ... well, actually a small flock ... to be precise, two ... Yellow-throated Warblers are now visiting the suet feeder. The two were seen at the bird garden / feeders from 8:15 to 8:30 am, and sightings continued to 12:00 noon.
The warbler of the day was a Connecticut, seen well at the Pony Barn at 9 am, and up to at least 10:40 am. It was in the wood pile / compost pile there. A Kentucky was on the Tulip Tree Trail, in exactly the same spot as last year's. On my bird hike, we saw a Mourning Warbler on Harrison Trail 100 m south of Bennett Road. Another highlight was a Hooded Warbler seen on Spicebush Trail. One of our experienced birders (of a certain vintage - yes, about my age) noted that there were so many Yellow Warblers yesterday that "you could throw a hula hoop around 7 of them" on Bennett Road. Other good warblers included Northern Parula at Pony Barn; Northern Waterthrush on Spicebush Trail; Wilson's at Pony Barn; and Canada on Spicebush Trail. Aside from warblers, other songbirds of interest included Eastern Bluebird and Indigo Bunting at the Pony Barn; and a Lincoln's Sparrow at the Group Campground. A great many thrushes have arrived, and are being seen along all roads and trails. The majority are Swainson's, es expected, with good numbers of Veerys and a few Gray-cheeked, including one at the Group Campground. Yesterday evening on the Marsh Trail hike, we observed Sora, Sandhill Crane, 4 Great Blue Herons, displaying American Woodcock, and calling Whip-poor-will. The highlight was a pack of coyotes in full chorus. Note that our trees aren't leafed out yet, so the warblers and other birds remain much more visible here than at locations farther inland. We have not yet received any further reports of the Cattle Egret seen here for the last 2 days. On this afternoon's 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/
