Rondeau Bird Report – Tuesday May 6, 2008
Hello Ontario Birders. There have been no additional reports of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher found yesterday in the park, and later seen nearby, despite considerable searching by many observers. I would appreciate receiving any additional information about this bird. The highlight for today was a Laughing Gull in breeding plumage seen and photographed at the dock by Alf Rider at about 8 am. Also present in the marsh were Green Herons and good numbers of Forster's Terns. There was a major influx of warblers, with a total of 23 species reported, including single Worm-eating and Hooded, as well as multiple observations of Golden-winged, Blue-winged, Orange-crowned, and Northern Parula. Newly arrived 'parulines' included Tennessee and Canada. Among the other songbirds, the Harris’s Sparrow continues to delight birders at the Visitor Centre, along with a good range of feeder birds. New migrants in the park included Veery, Tufted Titmouse and Gray-cheeked Thrush. Rather late sightings included a Glaucous Gull (second year), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush and many Yellow-rumped Warblers. Good birding. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm.; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. There will also be a special program, on Saturday May 10 at 7 pm - an evening presentation about the spring migration at Rondeau entitled "An Evening in the Forest with LaForest" (contact Visitor Centre re tickets). Directions: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 pm from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. _________________________________________________________________ Enter today for your chance to win $1000 a day—today until May 12th. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/215_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
