[Ontbirds]Rondeau - Cerulean, Acadian F, WE Vireo

[Steve LaForest]

Rondeau Bird Report – Wednesday May 14, 2008


Good Morning birders.


The warbler highlight for this morning was a Cerulean at Tulip Tree Trail.  Spicebush Trail and the Pony Barn as well as Tulip Tree Trail all had good tallies.  The birds at the Pony barn were very cooperative, posing low over the water, instead of forcing birders to look upwards and consult their “confusing warbler bellies” pages.


Not a warbler, but nonetheless cooperative, was the White-eyed Vireo at the Pony Barn.  It was satisfying both visually and acoustically - perching at eye level and singing persistently.  An Acadian Flycatcher was also present, along with a Least Flycatcher and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher nearby on Harrison Trail, for handy Empidonax comparisons.  Other birds of interest there included Orchard Oriole, Tufted Titmouse, Indigo Bunting and a good assortment of migrants.


On the Marsh Trail yesterday evening, we had a fine selection of wetland birds on my evening hike.  American Woodcock, Whip-poor-will, American Bittern, Sora, and Sandhill Cranes were all singing and calling.


The Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow seen at the Pony Barns on May 12 and 13 has not yet been reported today.


Outside the park today, 40 Ruddy Turnstones were seen in the fields near Erieau, and 3 Willet were on Rose Beach Line just northeast of the park entrance.  We have not heard back from birders who planned to check on the two American White Pelicans (present May 9-11 at least), previously seen from the Erieau dock.
 

Steve LaForest
Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide
c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768


I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily 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.


Directions:


To reach Rondeau PP, 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 p m 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.


For the American White Pelican, from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau. At Nichols Ave., turn ~~left and follow Kerr Ave. to the end of the road at the fishing boat docks. Look north into Rondeau Bay and marsh. Most sightings at this location have been late in the day. I saw the birds there from 8:10 – 8:25 pm on May 11. The Lesser Black-backed Gull was also seen in this area on May 12.  It may also be worthwhile to check the Government Dock at the end of Mariner's Road for gulls.


For the shorebird site near Erieau (where the Ruddy Turnstones were seen):  from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A.  The birds were seen in the fields in this vicinity.


For the Willets, from the Rondeau PP gate, go northeast on Rondeau Road past Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15).  The road continues northeast, but is here called Rose Beach Line.  The birds were along the shore, just west of the trailer park.


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