Hello Ontbirders. The Rondeau Provincial Park spring birding program will run from Saturday May 1 through to May 24, Victoria Day. There will be daily Bird Hikes and a Birders' Breakfast / Lunch.
A good variety of warblers was seen at Tulip Tree Trail. Of interest was a Mourning Warbler seen on the west side of South Point Trail. Other interesting songbirds included Yellow-throated Vireo on the Maintenance Loop, Philadelphia Vireo on South Point Trail, and Scarlet Tanagers on South Point and Tulip Tree Trails. Cedar Waxwings were seen in flocks of up to 40 birds on South Point Trail. Whip-poor-wills were calling yesterday evening at the Visitor Centre and along Lakeshore Road, about 1/2 km north of Gardiner. American Woodcock were performing display flights at many locations. Close to the park, flocks of Whimbrel with 25 Ruddy Turnstones were seen at the intersection of Internal Line and Erieau Road, at 1:45 pm. At the nearby Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, 3 Red-necked Phalaropes were seen this morning, including one bright female and one male. Also observed was a White-rumped Sandpiper. These birds were in pond #5 (see sightings book with map at the gate). Please remember to enter your sightings. BIRDING ETIQUETTE Birders and photographers are cautioned regarding the importance of following proper birding etiquette within Rondeau Provincial Park. Please refrain from any use of electronic devices or tapes to call birds, which harass our wildlife, while in the park. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and compliance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Bird Hike schedule has been changed slightly from last year. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Saturday May 1 to Monday May 24, inclusive (fee $5), as follows: Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday at 7:30 am and 1:00 pm Tuesday and Friday at 7:30 am and 7:00 pm; Wednesday at 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1:00 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7:00 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Wednesday at 1:00 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. New for this year, permits for the Sewage Lagoons will be available from the Rondeau Visitor Centre The Friends of Rondeau will provide a Birders' Breakfast for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups and treats) daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Visitor Centre. More information on the park's nature programs and the Friends of Rondeau is available at the Friends' website: www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca. Directions for park: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Turn right and follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 1 - 24. To reach the Visitor Centre from the park Gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave., then follow it around the bend to the parking lot. Directions for Sewage Lagoons (courtesy of Irene Woods): Blenheim is on #3 H [Talbot Rd]. in Chatham-Kent. Take # 3 H West out of Blenheim, about 1 km. You will see a car wash at the corner of Lagoon Rd., turn right [ North]. Go about 1/2 km. and you will see a small locked gate [ see below]. Enter at this gate only. Please park on the lagoon side of the road--only. Permit required (available from Rondeau Visitor Centre, etc.) Good birding! Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
