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 16, 2011 Rain persisted today with north winds, but there appears to have been some movement overnight, and birders continued to observe many species at various locations. Many treetop species were forced to forage at eye or ground level, affording excellent viewing opportunities. A total of 24 warbler species have been noted so far today. Birding at the Tip area proved fruitful for those braving the rain and winds. Birders watched as various passerines flew in over the lake from Pelee Island and elsewhere, including warblers coming in right over the water! A DICKCISSEL was seen just north of the Tip footpath. In the woods at the tip, ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (5+), YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (2), and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (2+). A first basic LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on the tip beach along with more common species. The Woodland Trail proved productive for warblers, with at least 16 species seen by 10AM, including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, BLACKPOLL WARBLER and MOURNING WARBLER. Birders reported additional species at Tilden’s Wood, including single females of HOODED WARBLER and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. Tilden’s also produced an Acadian Flycatcher, among other low-foraging flycatchers today, and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH in numbers. Other birds of note from various locations include: a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT seen at the entrance bench to the Sparrow Field; a male SUMMER TANAGER at the West Beach Shelter; a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at the Northwest Beach (South parking area); and a CERULEAN WARBLER was observed at the South end of Northwest Beach parking lot. Outside the Park: A 2nd basic THAYER’S GULL was reported from Wheatley Harbour, and a 1st basic GLAUCOUS GULL was reported from along Mersea Rd. D. Good Birding, Hike Leaders: Pete, Karl, Todd, JUSTIN, Marianne, John, Ellen, Alvan and Jeremy FESTIVAL OF BIRDS APRIL 30, 2011 THROUGH MAY 23, 2011 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 -- Janice Rogers, General Manager Friends of Point Pelee - Celebrating 30 years Our Point is Pelee www.friendsofpointpelee.com 519-326-6173 _______________________________________________ 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/
