Good evening Ontbirders, The male WESTERN TANAGER at Rondeau was first seen this afternoon from 2:40 to 3:00 pm. To the best of my knowledge, the bird wasn't relocated until about 4:30 pm, and was then viewed more or less continuously until 6:20 pm. I don't know whether anyone else looked again after that time. Recent rains have flooded this small portion of the trail, and you might need rubber boots if you want to access this immediate area. You may well not need rubber boots - but if someone on the other side of the flooded portion of trail starts jumping up and down yelling OMG .. CMF, you may have to choose between dry shoes and massive disappointment!
The bird has been cooperatively flying back and forth in a scrubby area with scattered large pines and oaks. It often perches in the open and has offered 'crippling' views at full power in the scope / viewfinder. As far as I know, everyone who visited got a good look. The site is immediately south of the south end of the parking lot at South Point Trail. This spot is where the trail leaves the parking lot. Occasionally, the bird moves a bit farther west, and is better seen from the portion of the paved trail beyond the flooded patch, just around the corner to the left. So far, observers have been able to get good looks without having to leave the parking lot area. A number of photographers have obtained good images. We would appreciate any images that photographers are willing to share with us. You can easily bypass the 'water hazard' by detouring around via the north exit to the parking lot, and circling back to the paved trail. All of the sightings so far have been within a very limited radius. Note that there are 2 parking lots for South Point Trail. The bird was seen near the southern parking lot, NOT the one to the west of the Visitor Centre on Gardiner Avenue. Directions: Exit Hwy 401 at Exit #101, Kent Bridge Road (Chatham Kent Road 15), and follow it south 16 km to Rondeau Road, turn right and drive a short distance into the park. >From the park gate, continue south on the main road (Rondeau Road) to where it curves left and becomes Gardiner Avenue. Continue along a short distance to the Visitor Centre. The Centre (open 7:00 am to 5:00 pm) will have updates on the Western Tanager and other bird sightings. From the Visitor Centre parking lot, continue east on Gardiner Avenue 50 m to Lakeshore Road, turn right (south) and proceed to the South Point Trail parking lot. Best of luck!! Steve Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
