Hello Ontbirders. Rondeau Provincial Park's Festival of Flight kicked off today.
Following last night's spectacular thunderstorms, the sky cleared and we had a great morning on the trails! Our warbler tally was a very respectable 23 species. After a couple of no-show days in the park, the Yellow-throated visited the feeders in the garden at the Visitor Centre. New warbler additions for today were Orange-crowned and Wilson's, both on South Point Trail. Other species of interest included Blue-winged on Rondeau Road near Bennett; Mourning on Bennett; and Northern Parula on Spicebush, South Point and Tulip Tree Trails. As for other passerines, both vireos and thrushes put in a strong showing. A White-eyed was on South Point Trail, and there were several Yellow-throated Vireos on Bennett Road. Veery and Swainson's Thrush were new for today. Scarlet Tanagers were noted on quite a number of trails this morning. A Lincoln's Sparrow was reported from Lakeshore Road just north of the Visitor Centre. Aside from songbirds, Black-billed Cuckoo was first noted in the park toady. For sheer excitement, it would be hard to top the Northern Goshawk that roared through Tulip Tree Trail. In the Rondeau area, but outside the park, Jean Iron reported 7 species of shorebirds from Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. These included Wilson's Phalarope - 2 (male & female), Short-billed Dowitcher - 1, Dunlin - 100, Lesser Yellowlegs ~50, Greater Yellowlegs - 1, Pectoral Sandpiper -1 and Least Sandpiper - 4. Most of these birds were in the sprinkler area at the north end of the first lagoon. Good numbers of ducks (11 species) were reported yesterday by Allen Woodliffe, including 75+ Ruddy Ducks. Directions: Blenheim Lagoons are on Lagoon Road north of Highway 3 several km west of Blenheim. Permit required. Observers also reported flocks of shorebirds at Ridgetown Lagoons today. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Friday May 4 and go through to Victoria Day. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from May 4 to May 21, 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. Bird hikes for absolute beginners will be led by Ric McArthur on Saturdays at 10:00 am, meeting at the Visitor Centre. 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. The Centre will be open daily up to May 21, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. All proceeds from the Festival of Flight go to support nature programs in the park. The Big Birding Day Competition is 24 consecutive hours during the weekend of May 11th - 12th. For details on this bird-a-thon, contact the Visitor Centre. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new birding companions during my sixth spring season at Rondeau! More information on the park's nature programs and the Friends of Rondeau is available at the Friends' website: www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca. Directions: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Turn right and follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board, Bird Checklists and other relevant information are to be found at the Visitor Centre. To reach the Visitor Centre from the park Gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave., then follow it around the bend to the parking lot. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 _______________________________________________ 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/
