A fabulous day of birding in the park this morning. There was a notable fall out of many migrant species at the Tip, including many later migrant warbler species and flycatchers.
Highlights include a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE flying high over the Tip and then back and forth up to the Sparrow Field, and a KIRTLAND'S WARBLER found on Chinquapin Trail just north of the intersection with Tilden Woods Trail. At least 27 species of Warbler have been seen so far today. The Tip was particularly wonderful. There were many warbler species and flycatchers, including a half dozen each of CANADA and WILSON'S WARBLERS, a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, several YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS, etc. Also noted was a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. There was a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW near the Tip Parking Lot. North of the Sparrow Field on the Post Woods Trail, a CONNECTICUT WARBLER was singing. A CERULEAN WARBLER was also seen at the south end of the Sparrow Field. There was a CONNECTICUT WARBLER also seen on Woodland Nature Trail near Post 7 and another north of bridge D. PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS were seen near the nest box off bridge F as well as between bridge A and B, and a MOURNING WARBLER was noted in the Botham Loop. SUMMER TANAGERS have been reported from near post 8 and bridge F on the Woodland Nature Trail. Several other MOURNING WARBLERS and CANADA WARBLERS have been seen on the Shuster Trail, Tilden Woods Trail, and Woodland Nature Trail. Another GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was heard near the small gravel parking lot near the Visitor Centre. We have not had many reports from further north in the park, but the level of bird activity is high and widespread, so we suspect that there is good birding throughout. Good Birding, Festival of Birds Hike Leaders Pete Read, Karl Konze, Justin Peter, Jean Iron, Geof Burbidge, Emma Burbidge, Chris Earley, Chris Coultier, Dave Milsom, Bruce DiLabio, Jessica Linton, Jeremy Bensette, Amanda Guercio and Paul Pratt. The Festival of Birds runs from May 1 - 21. For a detailed schedule visit: www.festivalofbirds.ca For highlights and other updates follow us at www.twitter.com/PointPeleeNP The Festival is brought to you by Parks Canada - Point Pelee National Park and the Friends of Point Pelee. Hikes are generously supported by Quest Nature Tours. Shorebird Viewing Nights are brought to you in partnership with Ontario Field Ornithologists and Essex Region Conversation Authority and Pelee Wings Nature Store. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
