Hello Ontbirders. A number of warblers have moved into the park overnight, with good numbers and variety reported from a number of trails. The most productive trails have been Tulip Tree, Spicebush, Pony Barn, and Bennett Road. The best warbler seen this morning was Hooded on Tulip Tree Trail near post 9.
Other highlights included Prothonotary on Bennett Road; Blue-winged at the Visitor Centre parking lot; Northern Parula on Pony Barn and Tulip Tree; Northern Waterthrush on Pony Barn and Spicebush; Wilson's on Pony Barn; and a number of Canadas on Spicebush, as well as on Tulip Tree. Aside from warblers, other songbirds of interest included Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Pony Barn, White-eyed Vireo on Tulip Tree Trail and Scarlet Tanager at the Visitor Centre. At Blenheim Lagoons yesterday, my bird hike saw a good variety of waterfowl, but no shorebirds, aside from Spotted Sandpiper and Killdeer. There was a large flock of swallows, including all six of the usual species. Up to 170+ Purple Martins were sitting on the paths and roads. Inconsiderate motorists had driven through the flock, and killed at least 3 while we were present at the lagoons. I saw a third year / subadult Lesser Black-backed Gull on the extreme south beach of Rondeau yesterday evening at 7:30 pm. This beach is visible from the dock in Erieau. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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/
