Hello Everyone! Well it's been an exciting week in the Leamington area to say the least. As I'm sure most of you have heard, an F1 tornado went through the Town of Leamington early Sunday morning. The good news, the Park was pretty much spared from the damage. The most severely hit area was just north and west of the park. We've been closed since Sunday, dealing with power issues, and large downed trees, but the damage is not worse that wind storms that we had over the winter.
The park was alive with song of all our nesting species - the Killdeer have young on the roof of the Visitor Centre and Great Crested Flycatchers have been found all over the park this year. Even in the areas with some of the most severe damage, birds are still active and alive. The Northern Mockingbirds which nest at the Leamington Marina - which now has about 1/2 the trees it did before - were very active the morning after the storm - there were at least five birds actively feeding on Sunday morning. And even better news, the trees where the Red-headed Woodpeckers nest near the marina are some of the only ones that are still standing and I saw the adults on Sunday as well. Thanks to everyone who has sent well wishes and expressed concern about the park. Things are returning to normal and the park is still alive and well. As of today, the park is again open to visitors. Good birding everyone. Sarah Sarah Rupert Sr. Park Interpreter, Interpretive Program Coordinator Interprète de parc principale, Coordinatrice du programme d'interprétation Point Pelee National Park/Parc national de la Pointe-Pelée Parks Canada/Parcs Canada 519.322.5700 ext/poste 223 519.322.1678 (fax/téléc) [email protected] www.pc.gc.ca _______________________________________________ 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/
