[Ontbirds]Rondeau - RN Phalarope, Cerulean & Peregrine

[Steve LaForest]

Rondeau Bird Report – Sunday May 18, 2008 - evening


Good evening birders.


Intrepid birders braved cool temperatures, driving rain and hailstones looking for “a few good birds”.  Despite the weather, they braved the elements and managed some success.  Our best warblers today were a Cerulean (first year male) on Bennett Road and a Hooded (male) on Tulip Tree Trail.  Both Philadelphia and White-eyed Vireo were seen at the Pony Barn.  Yesterday, there was an Acadian Flycatcher at the same location.  The best birding trails today were Bennett Road and Tulip Tree Trail.
 

Nocturnal birding has yielded several species.  I have heard Whip-poor-will regularly at the Visitor Centre, at South Point Trail parking lot (off Lakeshore Road), and from the Marsh Trail.  As for American Woodcock, I see them displaying near the Visitor Centre and near the Marsh Trail, and they are also reported from the campgrounds.


In the Rondeau area, shorebirds were reported from just outside the park gate, at Bates Pond.  A female Red-necked Phalarope was found there at 3:15 pm.  Also present were ~50 Dunlin, 4 Short-billed Dowitcher and a Least Sandpiper.  Non-shorebirds included a cooperative Sora in full view.  While checking unsuccessfully for the phalarope in the late afternoon, I saw a Peregrine Falcon swoop through.  It seems that this bird was present in the park area for most of the day.


Good birding.


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 Bates Pond at Kent Bridge Road and Rondeau Road - from the park gate, drive ~1 km north to Kent Bridge Road.  The pond is on the northeast corner of this intersection.  Please take care to park safely, as this is a busy road with very narrow shoulders.


_________________________________________________________________
Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now!
http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212