Hello Ontbirders. The Yellow-throated Warbler put in a brief appearance at the Rondeau Visitor Centre between 8:35 and 8:50 am this morning. A Kentucky Warbler was seen on Spicebush Trail at 9:30 am (on the side of the trail nearer the road, about halfway down).
Our rainy morning warbler total was 21 species. Highlights included Golden-winged on Tulip Tree Trail; Northern Parula on Spicebush; Wilson's on Bennett Road and Spicebush Trail; and Canada on Spicebush and Tulip Tree Trails. The best locations for warblers were Spicebush Trail and Bennett Road. As for other songbirds, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was observed at the Visitor Centre, Scarlet Tanager on Tulip Tree Trail, a late Rusty Blackbird on an unspecified trail, and a Gray-cheeked Thrush on Tulip Tree Trail. Thrushes are moving through in good numbers. Rather a surprise was the Solitary Sandpiper that stopped off in a wooded slough on Bennett Road. A Wild Turkey trotted across the road just west of the Visitor Centre. I would like to thank all of the birders who have taken the time to report their sightings to us, helping to make these Ontbirds reports as comprehensive as possible! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rondeau Provincial Park welcomes birders! We have morning coffee and snacks waiting for early birders. Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Thursday May 5 and go through to Victoria Day. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Thursday May 5 to Monday May 23, 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. 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. Good Birding! Steve Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide s.m.lafor...@gmail.com _______________________________________________ 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/
