Good evening Ontbirders It’s Always an adventure at Rondeau! A Blue Grosbeak female was discovered on South Point Trail today near km post #5 at 3:00 pm. This is a short distance south of the South Point Trail parking lot (the lot at the end of Lakeshore Road). Sorry for the late posting – I just returned from Blenheim Lagoons.
Afternoon additions to our passerine list included a Yellow-throated Vireo on South Point Trail and Scarlet Tanagers on 4 trails. Yesterday evening on our Marsh Trail Hike, we observed the Bald Eagle nest, saw American Woodcock display flights, and heard several American Bitterns and Whip-poor-wills calling. Sandhill Cranes were also heard calling yesterday from South Point Trail. Birders and photographers are reminded that they are NOT to use electronic playback devices to attract birds in the park. We appreciate your cooperation. If birders encounter problems in this regard, please contact park staff, and wardens will be notified promptly. Outside the park, my group saw a variety of shorebirds at Blenheim this afternoon, despite near gale-force winds and whitecaps on the Lagoons! An incomplete survey yielded about 50 Dunlin, 4 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 1 Least Sandpiper, and 2 Lesser Yellowlegs. Five Ruddy Ducks were seen riding the waves. Cliff Swallows were present in good numbers. Our appreciation goes to those many birders who help us out by providing sightings information for this report! Good birding. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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/
