*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 9, 2012.* The day started well with brightening skies and south-west winds. At the Tip, there was no sign of the LAUGHING GULL seen yesterday. Interestingly, an AMERICAN BITTERN flew by the Tip seemingly coming in off the lake. Off-Tip movements of birds was quite good, with many jays, blackbirds and some other birds taking part, including a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER and a probable WESTERN MEADOWLARK. There were masses of midges at the Tip but fewer birds than previous days. Only bird I know of note was a WHITE-EYED VIREO right where the tram turns right at the Tip tram loop. Activity was more centered between the Sparrow Field and the Visitor Centre as of this morning. For instance, along the road to the Tip, a dozen species of warbler were found. This included a CERULEAN WARBLER, and MOURNING WARBLER, both south of the halfway stop. A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was also found. Also noted, redstart, Bay-breasted, Tennessee etc. The Sparrow Field had a moulting SUMMER TANAGER, an EASTERN BLUEBIRD and a BOBOLINK. People walking up the Post trail from the Sparrow Field reported CERULEAN WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, and CANADA WARBLER. Birders walking the Woodland Trail reported a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, at the south-east corner of that trail, and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at the first northern bridge. Also noted in that area, a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. Along Shuster Trail, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was heard near the first wet trough, and a CANADA WARBLER was seen in the trough. South of the end of that trail along the east beach a MOURNING WARBLER and WILSON’S WARBLER were reported. Those visiting Tilden Woods mention that it is not as active as other days recently. However, the rufous morph EASTERN SCREECH-OWL is still present in the same roosting tree. Good Birding, Hike Leaders: Pete, Karl, Todd, Justin, John, Ellen, and Alvan FESTIVAL OF BIRDS May 3 through May 21, 2012 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<file:///E:/Point%20Pelee%20Migration%20Update%20-%20Template.doc> -- Janice Rogers, General Manager Friends of Point Pelee "Our Point is Pelee" www.friendsofpointpelee.com 519-326-6173 "Like" us on Facebook _______________________________________________ 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/

