Hello Ontbirders. Our Rondeau warbler-counters have produced an impressive list of 24 species for this bright sunny morning. The Yellow-throated at 17372 Lakeshore Road continues to be the star of the show. It was seen up to 7 pm yesterday, and from 8:30 am today.
Other high-octane warblers included Hooded at the Visitor Centre, Blue-winged in the very general vicinity of the Visitor Centre; Orange-crowned at South Point Trail; Northern Parula on South Point Trail; Northern Waterthrush on South Point Trail; Blackpoll on Lakeshore Road; Wilson’s in the garden / feeder area at the Visitor Centre; and Canada on Lakeshore Road. For those who enjoy observing passerines other than warblers, there was a Yellow-throated Vireo on Spicebush Trail. We have had no further reports of the Le Conte’s Sparrow seen yesterday on South Point Trail. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Pony Barn was late. Four Sandhill Cranes were seen flying over the Visitor Centre. There were a few tense moments when a Cooper’s Hawk slashed through the trees near the Yellow-throated Warbler feeder. Relieved observers reported no sign of a little paruline corpse in the hawk’s talons! I will report on birds at Blenheim Lagoons following our hike there this afternoon. Good birding --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Friday May 4 and go through to Victoria Day. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from May 4 to May 21, 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. Bird hikes for absolute beginners will be led by Ric McArthur on Saturdays at 10:00 am, meeting at the Visitor Centre. 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. The Centre will be open daily up to May 21, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. All proceeds from the Festival of Flight go to support nature programs in the park. The Big Birding Day Competition is 24 consecutive hours during the weekend of May 11th - 12th. For details on this bird-a-thon, contact the Visitor Centre. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new birding companions during my sixth spring season at Rondeau! More information on the park's nature programs and the Friends of Rondeau is available at the Friends' website: www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca. Directions: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Turn right and follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board, Bird Checklists and other relevant information are to be found at the Visitor Centre. To reach the Visitor Centre from the park Gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave., then follow it around the bend to the parking lot. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 _______________________________________________ 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/
