Rondeau Migration Report – May 14, 2012 Hello Ontbirders.
A Laughing Gull at Rondeau's South Point yesterday at 7:15 pm is our rarity of the moment. The bird was found by Blake Mann, and was in alternate plumage. It was found on the beach near the light beacon trail, and was last seen flying south along the beach. Also rather unusual for this date was a Long-tailed Duck offshore at South Point Trail. Our morning warbler tally was 26 species. The ‘best’ of these was a Connecticut on Spicebush Trail. Additional warblers of note included Blue-winged on South Point Trail; Golden-winged on South Point Trail; Northern Parula on Maintenance Loop, Spicebush and South Point Trails; Blackpoll on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail; Northern Waterthrush on South Point Trail and Maintenance Loop; Mourning on Maintenance Loop, at Pony Barn and on South Point Trail; Wilson’s on South Point Trail; and Canada in the Campground, on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail. Also attracting considerable attention 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. Other noteworthy songbirds this morning included a Summer Tanager female at Pony Barn and a Yellow-throated Vireo on the Maintenance Loop. A new arrival was a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at the Visitor Centre parking lot. 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 birders encounter problems in this regard, please contact park staff, and wardens will be notified. Outside the park, over 300 Short-billed Dowitchers were seen yesterday in the area near McGeachy's Pond and Erieau - this is very likely a record-high count. My sincere thanks to all of the birders who have 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. 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 [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
