Hello Birders It finally seems like spring at Point Pelee. We've seen lots of new arrivals in the last week - many that we would have expected before this week.
The Tip has been hopping with woodpeckers the last few days - Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are all over the park, Northern Flickers have returned in good numbers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers have been active as well. Eastern Pheobes have been found in most open areas in the park. We're starting to see lots of Chipping Sparrows and some Field Sparrows mixed in. The only warbler other than Yellow-rumped that has been reported was a Black-throated Green on the Woodland Nature Trail yesterday. Barn and Tree Swallows, as well as Purple Martins are present in good numbers. A male King Eider was noted at the Tip on Saturday, flying by. In other news – some big changes are happening in Sparrow Field this spring. As part of the park’s habitat restoration program, several research plots have been created in the park, to test methods of savannah restoration. The most noticeable of these is Sparrow Field. Starting today, vegetation removal will begin in a significant portion of this part of the park. A control area will also be established in Sparrow Field, to allow park ecologists to monitor the effectiveness of the methods used. What does this mean for birders? For short periods of time in early April, there will be days with limited access to Sparrow Field, as clearing work is going on. This will be wrapped up by mid-month, and seasonal birding footpaths will be flagged and ready for birders. Some of the existing seasonal footpaths will be re-routed, but will not hinder access to the East Beach or Post Woods. We can't wait to see what shows up in Sparrow Field this spring! For more information about the restoration program, please contact the park at: 519-322-2365 or pelee.i...@pc.gc.ca Good birding everyone! Sarah Rupert Interpration Coordinator Point Pelee National Park _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
