Hello Ontbirders. Birders at Rondeau have reported a good variety of warblers on our trails this morning. Highlights include Northern Parula on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail; Blackburnian on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail; Blackpoll on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail; Northern Waterthrush on South Point Trail; Mourning on South Point Trail and at Pony Barn; Wilson’s at Maintenance Loop and on South Point Trail; and Canada on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail.
As for other passerines, our first Olive-sided Flycatcher of the season was observed at the deer exclosure off Gardiner Avenue. An Orchard Oriole was found on South Point Trail. A Yellow-throated Vireo was seen at the Pony Barn. Two Willow flycatchers were calling persistently on the Marsh Trail yesterday evening. Among raptors, a Merlin was seen on the Maintenance Loop. An adult Bald Eagle was photographed on South Point Trail this morning. Yesterday evening, we saw American Woodcock performing display flights and heard several Whip-poor-will calling. Despite searches by land and sea (well – Honda Civic and pontoon boat, actually) park birders could not relocate the Piping Plover seen at Erieau beach on Thursday afternoon. On and offshore of the south shoreline of the park yesterday afternoon were a range of waterfowl, including a pair of Ring-necked Duck, 3 Redhead, 1 Ruddy Duck, and a pair Long-tailed Ducks (in the channel at the breakwater). Birds seen on the extreme south beach of the park (viewed from the Erieau docks) included 2 Ruddy Turnstones and a flock of over 200 Bonaparte’s Gulls. On Erieau beach, I saw a flock of 125 Black-bellied Plovers, 7 Ruddy Turnstones and 1 well-scrutinized Semipalmated Plover. Nearby, the fields northeast of McGeachy’s Pond were covered with shorebirds: 400+ Black-bellied Plovers, 100 Dunlin, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper and several Ruddy Turnstones. Our appreciation to all of those who have taken the time to provide sightings for this report. 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. 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/
