*Friends of Point Pelee provide guided birding hikes throughout the Festival of Birds at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Proceeds from hikes support the Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park. This submitted report is a service of the Friends of Point Pelee Hike Leaders.*
* * *Point** Pelee National Park** Migration Update for: MAY 1, 2011* Despite the rumble of thunder and occasional bouts of rain, the morning weather was good for birds. Lots of activity was noted at the tip. Most noteworthy was the many NASHVILLE WARBLERS observed, many down low and offering brilliant views. They seemed especially vivid against the dark trunks and wet vegetation. In total, about a dozen species of warblers were seen in the area of the tip. Other highlights included an obliging WORM-EATING WARBLER, a female CERULEAN WARBLER, as well as a NORTHERN PARULA, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER and WILSON’S WARBLER. Lots of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are also still around, as well as many tail-wagging PALM WARBLERS and lingering PINE WARBLERS. One group counted 12 PINE WARBLERS yesterday. BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHERS are abundant and seem to be present flitting around the tops of most trees one looks at. Also present at the tip was likely the same HORNED GREBE as yesterday. While the sun hasn’t peeked its way out from behind the clouds to make it even more brilliant, the bird is still fishing mere metres offshore. A few flocks of SURF SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen flying by. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was observed near the solar panel display and a LINCOLN’S SPARROW was seen not far away. Although the Sparrow Field hasn’t produced any highlights as yet, it looks quite promising and should be checked regularly. There was also a small influx of BALTIMORE and ORHARD ORIOLES this morning adding additional colour to the landscape. The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER seen yesterday near the tip hasn’t been reported yet but is still likely around. A good mix of birds were reported from Tildens Woods this morning, including several SCARLET TANAGERS and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER amongst others. The YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT seen yesterday along Shuster Trail, was observed again today as was the LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH at the slough closer to the Tildens Woods turnoff. An EARED GREBE was reported from the shorebird cell at Hillman Marsh C.A yesterday (April 30th). Also present there yesterday were a few WILSON’S PHALAROPES. Please make sure you forward your observations to us so that we can let everyone else know what’s around. Good Birding, Hike Leaders: Pete, KARL, Todd, Justin, Marianne, John, Ellen, Alvan and Jeremy FESTIVAL OF BIRDS APRIL 30, 2011 THROUGH MAY 23, 2011 Point Pelee National Park of Canada and Friends of Point Pelee For more information on the festival and archived Point Pelee Migration Reports, please check our www.festivalofbirds.ca FOLLOW the park on Twitter.com/PointPeleeNP<http://mail.google.com/mail/Point%20Pelee%20Migration%20Update%20-%20Template.doc> -- Janice Rogers, General Manager Friends of Point Pelee ~ Celebrating 30 years "Our Point is Pelee" www.friendsofpointpelee.com 519-326-6173 *Festival of Birds ~ April 30 though May 23, 2011 * *www.festivalofbirds.ca* <http://www.festivalofbirds.ca/>* * _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
