Good Morning Birders, Although there was a bit of migration overnight, the park still feels very quiet in most places as birds are having trouble finding food. Hopefully as it warms later today the birds will be able to find food and there will be more visible activity.
The male Cerulean Warbler continues to give point-blank views as it hops on the ground at the end of the maintenance loop. Apparently it even hopped on one lucky birder's feet this morning! The other rarities at this location have not yet been reported. The maintenance area and Pony Barn seem to be the most active areas this morning, with at least 17 species of warblers seen in this section of the park including Cerulean, Blue-winged, Parula and Tennessee. The Yellow-throated Warbler has visited the visitor centre feeders early this morning, and a male Scarlet Tanager is also in the area. A Hooded Warbler was on Spicebush Trail. Reports from yesterday included a Clay-colored Sparrow in the picnic area across from the Marsh Trail parking lot. Large numbers of swallows (several thousand) were having trouble finding food at Blenheim Sewage Lagoons with many sitting on the roads. Hopefully the warmer weather soon to come will improve their prospects. Also here was at least 1 Short-billed Dowitcher and 5 Wilson;s Phalarope. Thank you to everyone who contributed sightings and please continue to do so at the Visitor Centre. 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. Reuven Martin Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide _______________________________________________ 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/
