Good day, Breezy southeast winds and cool conditions greeted birders to the park this morning. Not surprisingly bird activity was also very quiet. Very few songbirds were present between the tip and tip train stop. Slightly better birding could be had at the Visitor Centre north. There warbler species included scattered groups of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, a few PALM WARBLERS and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS. Also mixed in were PINE, NASHVILLE and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS. The rarest species reported so far was a female SUMMER TANAGER found along the main road and west beach at the group campground.
Also reported this morning were RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, CHIMNEY SWIFT, WINTER WREN, FIELD SPARROW, EASTERN TOWHEE and EASTERN PHOEBE. Additional sighting reported yesterday included: NORTHERN PARULA, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and SANDHILL CRANE. Outside the park, the new shorebird impoundment at Hillman Marsh supported many GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN and a few PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Single WILSON'S SNIPE and SOLITARY SANDPIPER were also observed. Also present were numerous waterfowl species including a good number of NORTHERN SHOVELER, RUDDY DUCK, as well as AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER and LESSER SCAUP. Several groups of NORTHERN PINTAIL (20-25) also flew by (a good number for this late date). RING-NECKED PHEASANTS could be heard calling from several different locations and a SORA also made its presence known. This morning, the shorebird impoundment only supported two species of wader, DUNLIN and GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Also reported were several LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and a 1st winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL off the east beach. Good Birding, John Haselmayer, Karl Konze, Dave Martin, Pete Read, Alan Wormington Staff, Friends of Point Pelee ************************************************************************ Point Pelee National Park and the Friends of Point Pelee are pleased to present the 2003 Festival of Birds from April 26 to May 26. This years events include daily hikes, County Hot Spot Tours, "Birders Breakfast" and much. For more information, please visit www.wincom.net/~fopp/ or www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/ne/ne4_e.asp. Birders may also be interested in the free shorebird hikes offered by Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) at the new shorebird impoundment starting this weekend. - To contact the Friends of Point Pelee please call 519-326-6173, fax 519-326-7925 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] - For general park information, please call 519-322-2365. - To contact ERCA, please call 519-776-5209. ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Friends of Point Pelee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
