Birders: The Great Kiskadee was seen in various places today, as per some of the earlier OntBird posts. Several birders watched and waited for about 2 hours at the south end of the maintenance compound this morning, hoping the bird would show up in the same vicinity where it was last seen yesterday. The actual roost is unknown, unlike when it was first discovered back in September and was observed entering and exiting a large willow tree. With deciduous trees now completely free of leaves, roost options are different, but may be in some of the white cedars near the maintenance compound or in a tree cavity. Regardless, by about 9:30 the bird was heard calling, and then flying north over the fenced maintenance area in a northeasterly direction. We eventually tracked it down in the campground, which is the first time this bird has ventured that far to our knowledge. It was on the move regularly, seldom sitting in one spot for more than 30 seconds before moving on. It called frequently, but was eventually lost from view.
Over the course of the next few hours, it was heard for a short period in the vicinity of the tennis courts, which are east of the maintenance compound, and then it disappeared again. As the afternoon wore on, it was felt that the area south of the maintenance compound was the most likely spot for it to eventually return to, and it did not disappoint. The bird came into view low down over a slough, but then went fairly high up and sat in one spot on an open branch for at least 30 minutes for a change, with its bright yellow belly quite visible. Binoculars were a must to see any detail, and for most of the time it sat there, it did not call. The bird was last seen a bit after 3 p.m. flying over the picnic area towards the beginning of the Marsh Trail, but then it returned to the area south of the maintenance compound again. For anyone coming to look for this bird, it seems that the area south of the maintenance compound is the place it will eventually be seen. Directions: from Hwy 401, take exit 101 south all the way into the park (permit required). After entering the park, continue straight on Rondeau Road past the intersection of Rondeau Road and Rondeau Park Ave. About 200 metres south of the intersection and across from the picnic area is a small parking area by a closed washroom (an open washroom is near the previous intersection, across from the store). There is a trail going along the south side of the maintenance compound. Allen Woodliffe Chatham _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
