Good morning birders, The frost last night and cold temperatures this morning have forced most of the birds in the park to very low in bushes or on the ground to find any food, where they are giving great looks. The temperatures are rapidly climbing so hopefully there will be limited mortality of our birds today.
It's still very early and few reports have come in, but I wanted to update you on a great little pocket of warblers at the Maintenance Loop, south of the Maintenance Yard. Male Cerulean, Golden-winged and Hooded Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat are present giving very good looks when they emerge from the vegetation, along with a variety of other warblers, most hopping on the ground. A Yellow-throated Warbler was seen at the McArthur's Cottage #17372 this morning. A Prothonotary Warbler was reported yesterday afternoon on Bennett Road. The Worm-eating Warbler was seen on Spicebush trail until at least 7:30 last evening. Yesterday evening at Blenheim Sewage Lagoons there were an impressive 7 Wilson's Phalarope, 2 Short-billed Dowitcher, 2 Black Tern and huge number of swallows, I estimated 1500 in total. Thank you to everyone who contributed sightings and please continue to do so at the Visitor Centre. 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. Reuven Martin Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide _______________________________________________ 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/
