Hello Ontbirders.
This was a sunny, mild morning on the Rondeau trails. Activity on the South
Point Trail included 2 White-eyed Vireos, a Blue-winged Warbler, a Red-headed
Woodpecker and a late Hermit Thrush. Nearby, on Lakeshore Road at the Dog
Beach, there was a Northern Mockingbird and presumed pair of (nesting?)
Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Spicebush Trail was the best location for warblers this morning, with
sightings including Northern Parula, Blackburnian, and Ovenbird. Another good
warbler was the Hooded observed on Harrison Trail.
In the odds and ends department, a juvenile Great Horned Owl was reported on
Spicebush Trail near the start of the “back” loop. American Woodcock are
calling and performing their aerial displays at various sites, including
opposite the Visitor Centre. I will report further on other crepuscular
species and marsh birds after this evening’s hike on the Marsh Trail.
The Annual Rondeau Big Day Birding Competition
Saturday May 9th and Sunday May 10th
The Friends of Rondeau and Rondeau Provincial Park challenge you to
participate in the Annual Rondeau Big Day Birding Competition! Let’s see how
many birds you can find in Rondeau in just 24 hours! The winner(s) will have
their name inscribed on the Rondeau Plaque which will remain on display in the
Visitor Centre.
The area for the competition has been changed this year. All birds must be
seen or heard within the Rondeau Provincial Park Boundaries.
Registration is free and will be on Saturday at the Rondeau Visitor Centre
starting at 7:00 am. For more information please contact the Visitor Centre at
519-674-1768 or kipling.campb...@ontario.ca
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I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Saturday May 2 to Monday May 18,
inclusive (fee $5), as follows:
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 am and 1:00 pm;
Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 am and 7:00 pm;
Friday 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 Friday at 1:00 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons.
The Friends of Rondeau will provide a Birders' Breakfast for a small
donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups and treats) daily from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
at the Visitor Centre.
There will also be a special new program on Saturday May 9, at 7:00 pm.
This evening presentation will focus on spring migration at Rondeau. Tickets
for "An Evening in the Forest with LaForest" are available from the Visitor
Centre. Please note that there will be no bird hike at 1:00 pm on this day -
Sat. May 9.
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 and other relevant information are located at the Visitor
Centre (open 7:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 2 - 18. 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
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