Good morning birders: A KIRTLAND'S WARBLER at the Tip is the highlight bird on a cool morning with a noticeable increase in passerines. The Kirtland's has been feeding low in the undergrowth at close range just north of the Tip tram loop. Many observers have seen it, though the bird does tend to "disappear" for chunks of time. It it worth checking the area again throughout the day.
The Tip area south of the tram loop is fairly quiet, though a MERLIN was perched out in the open for several hours. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was nearby in the Sparrow Field. A total of 25 warbler species have been collectively reported so far. The best pocket is at West Beach where two Eastern Red Cedars are thick with a flock that includes NORTHERN PARULA, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER AND MOURNING WARBLER. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and a male SCARLET TANAGER were also in the vicinity. Tilden Woods Trail is steady. A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER -- likely the same one seen yesterday -- showed well at the north end of Tilden. Prothonotary was also seen at Bridges A and F on Woodland Nature Trail. 50 metres north of the fallen Sycamore on the eastern edge of the trail was a WHITE-EYED VIREO. A report just came in of a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT 200 metres north of Pioneer along the seasonal trail. With today's sunny conditions, there will likely be many reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, baby turtles, and frogs on the roads near woods and wetlands. Please take extra caution while driving the roads in and around Point Pelee and the Onion Fields today. Good Birding, Festival of Birds Hike Leaders Pete R, Karl, Todd, Justin, Sarah, Jeremy, Jean, Geoff, Ian, Chris, John, Bruce and Paul. The Festival of Birds runs from April 29 - May 18. 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 - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
