Cold damp weather opened the first day of the Festival, Friday, May 23. The high was 6C. A total of 124 species were sighted throughout the day.
There was a good fall out of warblers with 21 species sighted during festival activities. BLUE-WINGED AND GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS were sighted and heard. Early and late migrants are present as well as warblers which normally nest in the park - AMERICAN REDSTART and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER would be two examples of these. The Ducks Unlimited wetland continues to be a hot spot with good viewing opportunities for VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA. SWAINSON'S, WOOD and GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH are all present in the woods at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Many people ended their day with an AMERICAN BITTERN which, as the sun set, provided excellent views in wetlands along the shore just outside the Visitor Centre. Saturday, May 24 Twenty-five species of warblers were sighted during the day including NORTHERN PARULA, BLACKPOLL and BAY-BREASTED. The majority of these were sighted along the Town-line and Tower Trail at the south end of MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Shorebirds were in short supply although groups traveling north into South Bruce Peninsula had great views of PIPING PLOVER at Sauble Beach. WHIP-POOR-WILL have been heard calling in the park and one hike had excellent views of one in a tree. A total of 116 species were seen on Saturday, the high was 20C and it was sunny all day. Sunday May 25 The day has just started and all groups are out. Bird Banding is occurring today and Brendan Toews,along with other species, has banded a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. A nice sighting for MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Norah Toth The Huron Fringe Birding Festival has been recognized as one of the top 100 Festivals in Ontario by Festival and Events Ontario. Follow our blog: http://huronfringefest.wordpress.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
