Hello Ontbirders. The WESTERN TANAGER male was seen again this morning at Rondeau. It was relocated on South Point Trail, past the last bench (where the sign reads "trail washed out"). From that point, you can walk out onto the beach and continue farther along. The bird was sighted about 200m past the last bench. It was seen flying out over the lake, being harassed by 2 male Red-winged Blackbirds. We have had no further reports yet.
The warbler of the morning was a Prothonotary on Tulip Tree Trail near the 'Proth' sign, flying toward the middle of the pond. Other highlights included Blue-winged Warblers on Maintenance Loop; South Point Trail and Tulip Tree Trail; Northern Parula on South Point Trail; Blackpoll on Bennett Road, Maintenance Loop, Spicebush Trail and Tulip Tree Trail; Northern Waterthrush on South Point Trail; Wilson's on Spicebush Trail; and Canada on Tulip Tree Trail. Other interesting songbirds included a Lincoln's Sparrow skulking on Spicebush Trail and an Olive-sided Flycatcher ordering beers near Bennett Road/Harrison Trail. Scarlet Tanager was seen on Bennett Road, Maintenance Loop and Tulip Tree Trail. Yesterday evening on my Marsh Trail hike, we found Least Bittern, American Bittern, Sandhill Crane, displaying American Woodcock and a pair of Common Mergansers. There have been no additional reports of the Swainson's Hawk seen yesterday. I would like to thank all of the birders who have taken the time to report their sightings to us, helping to make these Ontbirds reports as comprehensive as possible! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rondeau Provincial Park welcomes birders! We have morning coffee and snacks waiting for early birders. Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Thursday May 5 and go through to Victoria Day. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Thursday May 5 to Monday May 23, 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; as well as 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. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a Birders' Breakfast/Lunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups and treats) daily from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Visitor Centre. All proceeds will support the birding, interpretation and conservation programs at Rondeau Provincial Park. Good Birding! 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/
