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.
Our warbler tally for today was 22 species. Several good birds were seen on South Point Trail. Highlights included a Connecticut seen by many observers, Yellow-breasted Chat on territory past post #7, a Prothonotary 100 m north of post #6, as well as Mourning and Orange-crowned. Mourning Warbler was also reported from Rondeau Road. Other songbirds of note included at least 3 Olive-sided Flycatchers on Rondeau Road and South Point Trail, our first Acadian Flycatcher (seen near Gardiner Avenue), White-eyed Vireo on South Point Trail and Scarlet Tanager on Tulip Tree Trail. There was a large influx of Cedar Waxwings today, with birds appearing everywhere on South Point Trail. Four Whip-poor-wills were heard calling yesterday evening along the Marsh Trail and Lakeshore. Also on the Marsh Trail, Sora, American Bittern, Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagle, Common Nighthawk, Black Tern and American Woodcock were found on my evening Marsh Hike. At the nearby Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, the count of Red-necked Phalaropes has risen to 3 females and one male. These birds were seen in Pond #5 (see sightings book with map at the lagoon entrance gate). 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I will lead a guided hike twice daily up 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 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/
