Hello Ontbirders. Our daily warbler roundup yielded 26 species. The Yellow-throated continues to visit feeders regularly (if erratically) at a site on Lakeshore near the Visitor Centre. It was seen between at least 9:30 am and 5:15 pm. The bird only goes to the suet feeder very briefly on each visit. This fact, combined with the known presence of two individuals, suggests that perhaps there might be a nest somewhere??? We have also received reports of a bird being seen on South Point Trail. Speculations abound!
Birders searching for Tuesday’s Le Conte’s Sparrow on South Point Trail turned up a singing Prairie Warbler. Also in the same vicinity was a very cooperative Blue-winged. Other warblers of note included Orange-crowned on Spicebush, South Point and Tulip Tree Trails; Northern Parula on at Pony Barn and on South Point Trail; Blackpoll on Spicebush and South Point Trails; Wilson’s at the Visitor Centre garden / feeders and on South Point Trail; and Canada on 5 trails. The best warbler trail – indeed the best birding trail overall – was most certainly South Point. As for other passerines, Yellow-throated Vireo was observed on Tulip Tree and South Point Trails. Scarlet Tanagers were present in good number on many trails. Two Common Ravens circling over South Point Trail were of great interest here in the deep south. Also soaring overhead were an adult and two immature Bald Eagles (perhaps second year birds). There were at least three Red-headed Woodpeckers seen on South Point Trail, in addition to the one attending the Visitor Centre feeders. Outside the park, but still in the general Rondeau area, my afternoon bird hike yesterday visited the Blenheim Lagoons. We saw a good variety of waterfowl, including 1 Northern Pintail, 2 American Wigeon, 1 Blue-winged Teal, 1 pair of Redhead, about 25 Ruddy Ducks, and about 15 each of Lesser Scaup and Bufflehead. A number of shorebirds were also present, including 2 Short-billed Dowitchers, 6 Least Sandpipers, 2 Ruddy Turnstones, about 125 Dunlin, and 6 Lesser Yellowlegs. Other waterbirds included 1 Pied-billed Grebe and 2 American Coots. In the non-aquatic category, there were about 15 Bobolinks, 2 Cliff Swallows and 2 Chimney Swifts. Just east of the park, 2 Cattle Egrets were seen briefly south of Morpeth, near Wildwood Park, at 9:30 am. Later searches of the local area failed to turn up any sign of the birds. At Erieau harbour, sightings included a Black Tern. On the rocks across the channel, there were at least 100 each of Common Terns and Dunlin, as well as 3 Ruddy Turnstones. The south beach shoreline of the park, also visible from Erieau harbour, hosted over 100 Dunlin and about 50 Black-bellied Plovers. I owe much appreciation to all of the birders who have taken the time to send me messages, report their sightings at the Visitor Centre, and even (gasp!) – to write their observations in the Dreaded B.i.r.d S.i.g.h.t.i.n.g.s B.o.o.k! My thanks to everyone last one of you! Good birding --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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/
