Good morning, The east winds continue to hold up many new migrants from arriving at the Park. Sunny and pleasant condition greeted birders again this morning but relatively little song could be heard in the woods, other than resident ORIOLES, YELLOW WARBLERS, BLACKBIRDS etc. Like the past few days, the diversity is good but the numbers are low. Still, one can have a great day if they are willing to cover a little more ground. One nice thing is that the cooler conditions have held up the leaves from coming out as early, making visibity not much of an issue.
Highlights reported this morning include: ***COMMON EIDER - (1 female) - just north of the Tip on the west side (likely the same bird that was seen earlier on May 10) Hooded Warbler - (1 male) - Woodland Nature Trail (W.N.T.) Yellow-breasted Chat - (2) - west of Visitor Centre & W.N.T. (several birds are present and likely on territory) Red-bellied Woodpecker - (1) - west of Visitor Centre Other species being noted include those typically encountered during the middle to later part of May, species such as MOURNING WARBLER, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, both CUCKOO species, WILLOW and ALDER FLYCATCHERS, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER and BLACKPOLL WARBLER. Reports of CONNECTICUT have dried up but will likely rebound as soon as the winds shift to the south and another wave of migrants hit the Park. Other birds reported yesterday (May 18) included: Hooded Warbler - (1) - W.N.T. Prairie Warbler - (1 female) - Botham Tree Trail Kentucky Warbler - (1) - Tilden's Woods Blue-winged Warbler- (2) - Tip area and W.N.T. Bird activity may improve slightly over the next couple of days as the winds shift to the southeast today. 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. - 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.
