Hello Ontbirders. Rondeau’s Yellow-throated Warbler continues to entertain flocks of birders at the Visitor Centre. It was seen there yesterday evening in the garden up to 5:30 pm, and then again this morning up to at least 9:00 am.
In the confused warblers department, there was a Prothonotary singing at the dog beach at 7:10 this morning. It apparently decided that sand was not its habitat of choice, and hastily moved inland in search of sloughs. Other good warblers included Blackburnian on Spicebush Trail; Blackpoll at the Visitor Centre and South Point Trail; Mourning on South Point Trail; and Wilson’s on South Point Trail and at the Visitor Centre. We received a report of a Hooded on South Point Trail. Yesterday, a Connecticut was seen on the Marsh Trail. Flycatchers were well-represented this morning. Olive-sided were found on the Maintenance Loop and on South Point Trail. Quite unusual here in migration was an Alder, singing at the Maintenance Loop. A singing Acadian was reported on Spicebush Trail. A number of Gray-cheeked Thrushes have been seen in the park, including one bathing in the pond in the Visitor Centre garden. As for non-passerines, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was heard singing on Spicebush Trail. And for non-vertebrates, an American Snout butterfly was photographed on Spicebush Trail on May 19. Outside the park but nearby, good numbers of shorebirds were seen yesterday in the fields in the McGeachy’s Pond area, just north of Erieau. There were 156 Ruddy Turnstones as well “large numbers” of Black-bellied Plovers and Semipalmated Plovers. Birders and photographers are reminded that they are NOT to use electronic playback devices to attract birds in the park. We appreciate your cooperation. If visitors encounter problems in this regard, please contact park staff, and wardens will be notified promptly. Good birding! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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/
