[Ontbirds]Rondeau Bird Report - Sat May 3

[Steve LaForest]

Rondeau Bird Report - Saturday May 2, 2008
 
The spring birding season started off with a bang as a Harris's Sparrow 
showed up yesterday afternoon. The bird was found by Dana Coffel, and 
has now settled in at the Visitor Centre feeders. It is being seen regularly. 
This may well be the same individual that was seen at Erieau in February, 
but has now come into full breeding plumage. There are presently 9 
species of sparrows in the vicinty of the Visitor Centre, including 
Clay-colored and Lincoln's.
 
Warblers include a Prothonotary at the log pond (near the Pony Barn) last 
weekend, as well as Friday and today, Yellow Warbler and Common 
Yellowthroat arriving Thursday, Northern Waterthrush arriving today, and a 
Hooded Warbler on Tulip Tree Trail seen today.
 
Other songbirds feature a mix of lingering birds and migrants from across 
the lake. Several Hermit Thrushes are still present, while Wood Thrushes 
have just showed up Friday. On the blackbird front, Rusty's were found in 
full "song" on Tulip Tree Trail early this morning and Baltimore Orioles 
arrived yesterday. Thursday was quite a good day for new species, with 
first sightings for Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Marsh Wren and 
House Wren. New today was Indigo Bunting. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 
are now present in good numbers throughout the park.
 
My reports will include regular updates on the Harris's Sparrow, as well as 
other sightings.
 
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I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily from May 3 to 19 (fee $5) as follows:Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm;  Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm.; Friday 7:30 am.All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre.The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail.A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons.The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation  (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am.There will also be a special program, on Saturday May 10 at 7 pm, an
 evening presentation about the spring migration at Rondeau:
An Evening in the Forest with LaForest (contact Visitor Centre re tickets)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Directions: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on
 Chatham Kent Road 15.  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 am to 5 pm from May 3 - 19).  To reach the Centre
 from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave.
 and follow it around the bend to the parking lot.Steve LaForestFriends of Rondeau Bird Guidec/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768
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