Good morning, The wave of birds hoped for this morning failed to materialize. The thunderstorms that passed by to the south of us may have prevented migrants from taking up into the skies and making their way north across the lake and into the park. In fact, Point Pelee seems to miss all of the active weather. Apparently, only a sprinkling of rain was noted in the Park. Still, campers at Sturgeon Creek reported hearing quite a few bird flying overhead. Some migration obviously did take place.
Conditions in the morning were absolutely tranquil. Mild temperatures and sunny skies were a nice change. However, bird activity was mixed. Some areas were relatively quiet whereas others were active. Most noticeable at the tip was an influx of YELLOW WARBLERS, as well as both species of ORIOLES. Mixed in were a few more ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS as well. The SCARLET TANAGERS were only observed flying overhead. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER numbers appear to be dwindling for the time being. Also present at the tip was a SANDERLING, DUNLIN and BLACK TERN. Further north in the woods at the tip a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT played hide-and-seek with the visitors. On the edge of the beach, PALM WARBLERS, OVENBIRD, SAVANNAH SPARROW and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS gave great looks. Depending on when one passed through the Woodland Nature Trail and Tilden's Woods, both spots had brief flurries of activity. Some of the species noted there and elsewhere included: Mourning Warbler - (1) - Woodland Nature Trail (W.N.T.) Yellow-billed Cuckoo - (1) - W.N.T. (first of the spring) American Redstart - (6) - W.N.T. Black-throated Blue Warbler - (1) - W.N.T. Northern Waterhtrush - (3) - W.N.T. Cerulean Warbler - (1) - Tilden's Woods Louisianna Waterthrush - (1) - Tilden's Woods Northern Waterthrush - (2) - Tilden's Woods Yellow-throated Vireo - (1) - Tilden's Woods Sedge Wren - (1) - Sparrow Field Yellow-billed Cuckoo - (1) - Post Woods Outside the Park, a STILT SANDPIPER was observed at the shorebird impoundment at Hillman Marsh C.A. this morning. The WHITE-FACED IBIS reported yesterday in the vicininty of the Pelee Days Inn has NOT been refound today. Updates will be posted immediately if it returns. Also reported yesterday after our last report: Worm-eating Warbler - (1) - W.N.T. Pine Warbler - (1) - Visitor Centre Summer Tanager - (1 adult male) - Sleepy Hollow Orange-crowned Warbler - (1) - W.N.T. Mourning Warbler - (1) - near Marsh Boardwalk (first report this spring) Willet - (24) - Shorebird impoundment at Hillman Marsh C.A. Least Sandpiper - (2) - Shorebird impoundment at Hillman Marsh C.A. Short-billed Dowitcher - (5) - Onion Fields 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.
