Hello Ontbirders. Our morning warbler count is 27 species. The best of these is a Worm-eating found on the Maintenance Loop at 10:15 am.
To find the site, walk in from the road (Harrison Trail) on the path just outside of the Maintenance fence, turn left (south) onto the Maintenance Loop Trail. When you reach the next trail intersection, turn right and walk a short distance. The bird was seen on the right side of the trail (“the outside” side of the loop). More detailed directions and updates will be available at the Visitor Centre. After a brief absence, the Prothonotary is once again being seen regularly on Tulip Tree Trail. The Yellow-throated continues its sojourn at the Lakeshore cottage just north of the Visitor Centre. Birders looking for the Yellow-throated are asked NOT to visit the site before 8:00 am, are reminded to show proper respect for property and privacy, and to park at the Visitor Centre NOT along the road. Groups visiting the site should be of small size – NO large groups, please. The Yellow-throated has also visited the feeders at the Visitor Centre. Other good warblers include a Cerulean (singing male) on South Point Trail; Blue- winged on South point Trail; Orange-crowned on South Point Trail; Northern Parula on Harrison Trail, Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail; Pine on South Point Trail and Lakeshore Road; Blackpoll on South Point Trail; Northern Waterthrush on South Point Trail; and Wilson’s on South Point Trail. As for other passerines, a molting male Summer Tanager is on South Point Trail, as well as a first-year male Orchard Oriole. A Clay-colored Sparrow yesterday on South Point Trail was unexpected, as suitable habitat there is very limited. Carolina Wrens have been few and far between in the park to date. One was singing yesterday on Lakeshore Road near #17566. Likewise in short supply are Red-breasted Nuthatches - one was observed yesterday on South Point Trail. There have been no further reports of yesterday's Laughing Gull, but a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3rd year, was seen on the beach off South Point Trail yesterday, out from the Anne McArthur bench. One of the best places in the park to view a variety of species is the Visitor Centre, with its viewing window, natural sound system, natural garden, and prolific bird feeders - not to mention coffee, snacks and birders' brunch! Among the birds observed there on a daily basis are both Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpecker as well as Tufted Titmouse. Recent highlights have included Blackburnian and Wilson's Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Lincoln's Sparrrow. Birders and photographers are reminded that they are NOT to use electronic playback devices to attract birds in the park. We appeciate your cooperation. If birders encounter problems in this regard, please contact park staff, and wardens will be notified promptly. Thank you very much to all of the birders who have supplied Rondeau birding information for this report. I will report on birds at Blenheim Lagoons following our hike there tomorrow afternoon. 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. 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/
