Report for May 4, 2003 (Sunday): Today the birding is noticeably slower, although there is still an excellent variety and number of migrants including warblers. The most active location is South Point Trail, where this morning Prothonotary Warbler, Hooded Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat were present.
Perhaps the most interesting bird yesterday was a Clay-colored X Chipping Sparrow hybrid that was at the Visitor Centre feeders all day. If the bird had been present in the fall, it would easily have been dismissed as an immature Chipping Sparrow. This is a known but very rare hybrid combination. At the start of Marsh Trail yesterday, there was a very co-operative Grasshopper Sparrow. Red-headed Woodpeckers are regular in the vicinity of Maintenance and the Campgrounds. The Kentucky Warbler was seen again yesterday in the vicinity of Post #9 on the Tulip Tree Trail. Although today is relatively slow, this should change quickly when a fresh front arrives in a day or two. On Tuesday there was a controlled burn in some sections of Rondeau interestingly enough many birds are highly attracted to these areas as (presumably) it is much easier to forage when the ground cover (dead leaves) is gone. Its certainly an unique experience to see birds such as Ovenbird, Wood Thrush, Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, and numerous warblers and sparrows, etc., hopping around on the black-charred ground. Probably the best place to see this phenomena is the beach area south of the start of the South Point Trail (south end of Lakeshore Road). The Blenheim sewage lagoons have little shorebird habitat, but 1000+ ducks are present including hundreds of Ruddy Duck (Note: A free permit from the town office is required for entry to this site). Alan Wormington, Friends of Rondeau ************************************************* DAILY BIRDING HIKES WITH AN EXPERT (free): May 1 to 19 inclusive, and 23-26 inclusive Each day there is a morning hike at 7:30 a.m. -- meet at the Visitor Centre. Each day there is also an afternoon OR evening hike, as follows: Mondays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park - meet at the Visitor Centre Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. at the Blenheim Sewage Ponds - map available at the V.C. Wednesdays: 7:00 p.m. on Marsh Trail -- meet at parking lot (Note: May 7 and 14 hikes are in Ridgetown, and will start at 6:00 p.m. -- meet at the Native Trail, Scane Road just south of Golf Course Line) Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Fridays: 7:00 p.m. on Marsh Trail -- meet at parking lot Saturdays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Sundays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Group size limited -- sign up at the Visitor Centre For Additional Birding Events at Rondeau, visit the Friends website at www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ [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.
