Hello Ontbirders. Rondeau Migration Report - Sunday May 13
Our warbler count for this morning at Rondeau is 23 species. The highlight was a Cerulean on South Point Trail, north of the first bench. It was found at 3 pm yesterday, and was seen up to at least 9:44 am today. Another good warbler was a Hooded seen on South Point Trail north of the area with the benches. It was found at about 8:00 am. Also of great interest was the Yellow-throated seen at a cottage on lakeshore near the Visitor Centre. Birders looking for the Yellow-throated are asked NOT to visit the site before 8:00 am, are reminded to show proper respect for property and privacy, and to park at the Visitor Centre NOT along the road. Groups visiting the site should be of small size – NO large groups, please. The Yellow-throated has also visited the feeders at the Visitor Centre. We have received a report of a possible Kirtland's Warbler on the Maintenance Loop, along the fence beside the compound, at 10 am. We are hoping to receive more information about this individual. Another great attraction at Rondeau this morning was a molting Summer Tanager on South Point Trail. It was seen from shortly before noon yesterday up to at least 9:45 am today on South Point Trail, just past the Anne McArthur bench. Birders and photographers are reminded that they are NOT to use electronic playback devices to attract birds in the park. We appeciate your cooperation. If you encounter problems in this regard, please contact park staff, and wardens will be notified. As for non-passerines, 2 Little Gulls were seen amongst the flocks of Bonaparte's Gulls off South Point Trail. Thank you to everyone who has supplied Rondeau birding information for this report. Good birding --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Friday May 4 and go through to Victoria Day. I will lead a guided hike twice daily from May 4 to May 21, 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. Bird hikes for absolute beginners will be led by Ric McArthur on Saturdays at 10:00 am, meeting at the Visitor Centre. 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. The Centre will be open daily up to May 21, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. All proceeds from the Festival of Flight go to support nature programs in the park. The Big Birding Day Competition is 24 consecutive hours during the weekend of May 11th - 12th. For details on this bird-a-thon, contact the Visitor Centre. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new birding companions during my sixth spring season at Rondeau! 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. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 _______________________________________________ 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/
