Friends of Rondeau Provincial Park

Category: <span>Bird sightings</span>

Friends of Rondeau Provincial ParkNewsBird sightings
08 May 2023
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Morning Hike Report – May 8th, 2023

Today’s morning hike took place at Warbler’s Way and Pony barn and had a total of 62 species. Although last nights winds were unfavourable with predominant north winds, warbler activity was better than expected around Pony barn and adjacent ponds. Of the 62 species seen this morning, a total of 12 warbler species were observed which include:
-Ovenbird
-Northern Waterthrush
-Blue-winged Warbler
-Black-and-white Warbler
-Common yellowthroat
-Magnolia Warbler
-Blackburnian Warbler
-Black-throated Green Warbler
-Black- throated Blue Warbler
-Yellow Warbler
-Chestnut-sided Warbler
-Yellow- Rumped Warbler

Other notable species seen on the hike included:

-Red Headed Woodpecker
-Yellow- throated Vireo
-Blue- headed Vireo
-Solitary Sandpiper

For other bird sightings and reports, you can see up to date reports through eBird.ca

Happy Birding!

– Kevin Gevaert

21 May 2012
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Rondeau Migration Report – May 20

Of the 39 species of warblers on the Rondeau checklist, none is more
sought-after than the elusive Prothonotary. Early birders managed to
find one on the South Point Trail today at 6:30 am, just past the Anne
McArthur bench. Our other rare warbler, the Yellow-throated, was seen
at the Visitor Centre feeders in the “garden” at 4:30 and 6:20 pm.

Other good warblers included Blackburnian on South Point and Tulip
Tree Trails; Blackpoll on South Point Trail; Northern Waterthrush on
South Point Trail; Mourning on Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail;
Wilson’s on South Point Trail; and Canada on Tulip Tree and South
Point Trail. A female Hooded Warbler was also reported on Tulip Tree
Trail.

Carolinian species feature prominently in today’s report. One of our
nesting species is the Acadian Flycatcher – one bird was found on
Tulip Tree Trail this morning at 11:00 am. Another southerner, a
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, was seen on South Point Trail. It was the first
of the season.

Shoreline birders observed 2 Least Bitterns and 1 Whimbrel flying by
the south beach.

A well-photographed Common Nighthawk was perched on a branch on South
Point Trail.

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.

21 May 2012
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Rondeau Update – May 19

This afternoon, Rondeau birders saw a number of good birds.

Passerines included a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher seen on Harrison Trail
near the Maintenance Loop. Swainson’s Thrushes were in good numbers
in the park, including the Harrison Trail area.

On the South Beach and offshore, water birds included 3 Horned Grebes
and a first summer Iceland Gull that was late. Shorebirds present
included 2 Sanderlings, and 1 Semipalmated Plover.

Thank you to those supporters of our birding program who have kindly
supplied bird sightings information.

Good birding

21 May 2012
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Rondeau Migration Report – May 19

Birders at Rondeau have reported a good variety of warblers on our
trails this morning. Highlights include Northern Parula on
Maintenance Loop and South Point Trail; Blackburnian on Maintenance
Loop and South Point Trail; Blackpoll on Maintenance Loop and South
Point Trail; Northern Waterthrush on South Point Trail; Mourning on
South Point Trail and at Pony Barn; Wilson’s at Maintenance Loop and
on South Point Trail; and Canada on Maintenance Loop and South Point
Trail.

As for other passerines, our first Olive-sided Flycatcher of the
season was observed at the deer exclosure off Gardiner Avenue. An
Orchard Oriole was found on South Point Trail. A Yellow-throated
Vireo was seen at the Pony Barn. Two Willow flycatchers were calling
persistently on the Marsh Trail yesterday evening.

Among raptors, a Merlin was seen on the Maintenance Loop. An adult
Bald Eagle was photographed on South Point Trail this morning.

Yesterday evening, we saw American Woodcock performing display flights
and heard several Whip-poor-will calling.

Despite searches by land and sea (well – Honda Civic and pontoon boat,
actually) park birders could not relocate the Piping Plover seen at
Erieau beach on Thursday afternoon. On and offshore of the south
shoreline of the park yesterday afternoon were a range of waterfowl,
including a pair of Ring-necked Duck, 3 Redhead, 1 Ruddy Duck, and a
pair Long-tailed Ducks (in the channel at the breakwater). Birds seen
on the extreme south beach of the park (viewed from the Erieau docks)
included 2 Ruddy Turnstones and a flock of over 200 Bonaparte’s Gulls.

On Erieau beach, I saw a flock of 125 Black-bellied Plovers, 7 Ruddy
Turnstones and 1 well-scrutinized Semipalmated Plover. Nearby, the
fields northeast of McGeachy’s Pond were covered with shorebirds: 400+
Black-bellied Plovers, 100 Dunlin, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper and
several Ruddy Turnstones.

Our appreciation to all of those who have taken the time to provide
sightings for this report.

Good birding

18 May 2012
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Rondeau Migration Report – May 17

After a cool start, Rondeau warmed up to a nice sunny spring day with
a warbler count of 24 species. The highlight was once again the
Yellow-throated, seen regularly at a cottage on Lakeshore Road just
north of the Visitor Centre.

Birders looking for the Yellow-throated are asked NOT to visit the
site before 8:00 am, are reminded to show proper respect for property
and privacy, and to park at the Visitor Centre NOT along the road.
Groups visiting the site should be of small size – NO large groups,
please.

Other good birds in the warbler flock included a Blue-winged on
Rondeau Road; Northern Parula on Rondeau Road, Maintenance Loop, and
South Point Trail; Pine Warbler on South Point Trail; Blackpoll on
South Point Trail; Cerulean on the Maintenance Loop; as well as
Mourning, Hooded and Wilson’s – with all of these latter three on
South Point Trail.

Tennessee Warblers were particularly common, and were heard “revving
up their little
engines” all over the park.

As for other passerines, a Summer Tanager was reported on the
Maintenance Loop. Scarlet Tanagers were found in a number of
locations. On South Point Trail, a striking Orchard Oriole male in
first year plumage sang persistently. We have had no further reports
of the Blue Grosbeak female found yesterday on South Point Trail by
Tony Beck.

Thank you to everyone who has supplied Rondeau birding information for
this report.

Good birding

04 May 2012
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Twenty two species of warbler

Twenty-two species of warblers
I don’t have a trail break down today but you can check the board at the visitor centre for details.
Twenty-two species of warblers
I don’t have a trail break down today but you can check the board at the visitor centre for details.

Blue winged
Golden winged
Tennessee
Nashville
Northern parula
Magnolia
Cape May
Black throated blue
Black throated green
Blackburnian
Palm
Bay breasted
Blackpoll
Cerulian
Black and white
Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning
Hooded
Wilsons
Canada

Other birds
Scarlet tanager
Orchard oriole
Red headed woodpecker
Pileated woodpecker
Least Flycatcher
Yellow bellied flycatcher
Swanson and hermit thrushes
Sandhill cranes
Horned grebe
Also 3 vireos white eyed, yellow throated, blue headed

Good birding

20 May 2011
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Swainson’s Hawk at Rondeau

 

Shortly before 12:00 noon, birders at Rondeau saw a SWAINSON’S HAWK.

It was found by Jeff Skevington, Richard Skevington and Brian Pfrimmer. Photographs were taken by Jillian Ross. A report, along with photos, will be submitted to the OBRC.

The bird was first seen in a kettle of Broad-winged Hawks flying over South Point Trail parking lot. The Swainson’s was seen again a short time later, in the same vicinity. It was flying north when last seen.

Yesterday evening, John Lamey saw a FRANKLIN’S GULL on the extreme south beach of Rondeau. The beach can be viewed from the dock in Erieau.

Steve LaForest
Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide
s.m.laforest@gmail.com

 

19 May 2011
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Western Tanager at Rondeau

Good afternoon birders,

A WESTERN TANAGER  male was seen at Rondeau Provincial Park this afternoon.
The bird was found and photographed by Kyle Holloway.  The photographs show
the diagnostic field marks.  It was first seen for a fairly brief period (?
less than half and hour ?) near the South Point Trail Parking lot.  The bird
was last seen at ~2:40 pm.  It was last seen where the paved trail leaves
the parking lot.

Note that recent rains have flooded this small portion of the trail, and you
will need rubber boots if you want to access this immediate area.  You can
easily bypass the ‘water hazard’ by detouring around via the north exit to
the parking lot, and circling back to the paved trail.  The bird was first
found just southeast of the parking lot on an unmarked trail that leads
roughly towards the beach, between the parking lot and the first house on
Lakeshore Road.  The bird has only been seen within small, limited radius.

Note that there are 2 parking lots for South Point Trail.  The bird was seen
near the southern parking lot, NOT the one to the west of the Visitor Centre
on Gardiner Avenue.

Good luck!
Steve

Steve LaForest
Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide
s.m.laforest@gmail.com

Western Tanager
photo by Kyle Halloway

18 May 2011
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Bird Sightings May 18, 2011

Hello birders.

The Rondeau Visitor Centre now has a flock of interesting warblers … well,
actually a small flock … to be precise, two … Yellow-throated Warblers
are now visiting the suet feeder.  The two were seen at  the bird garden /
feeders from 8:15 to 8:30 am, and sightings continued to 12:00 noon.

The warbler of the day was a Connecticut, seen well at the Pony Barn at 9
am, and up to at least 10:40 am.   It was in the wood pile / compost pile
there.  A Kentucky was on the Tulip Tree Trail, in exactly the same spot as
last year’s.  On my bird hike, we saw a Mourning Warbler on Harrison Trail
100 m south of Bennett Road.  Another highlight was a Hooded Warbler seen on
Spicebush Trail.  One of our experienced birders (of a certain vintage –
yes, about my age) noted that there were so many Yellow Warblers yesterday
that “you could throw a hula hoop around 7 of them” on Bennett Road.

Other good warblers included Northern Parula at Pony Barn; Northern
Waterthrush on Spicebush Trail; Wilson’s at Pony Barn; and Canada on
Spicebush Trail.

Aside from warblers, other songbirds of interest included Eastern Bluebird
and Indigo Bunting at the Pony Barn; and a Lincoln’s Sparrow at the Group
Campground.  A great many thrushes have arrived, and are being seen along
all roads and trails.  The majority are Swainson’s, es expected, with good
numbers of Veerys and a few Gray-cheeked, including one at the Group
Campground.

Yesterday evening on the Marsh Trail hike, we observed Sora, Sandhill Crane,
4 Great Blue Herons, displaying American Woodcock, and calling
Whip-poor-will.  The highlight was a pack of coyotes in full chorus.

Note that our trees aren’t leafed out yet, so the warblers and other birds
remain much more visible here than at locations farther inland.

We have not yet received any further reports of the Cattle Egret seen here
for the last 2 days.

On this afternoon’s hike, I will visit the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, and I
will post our results afterwards.

I would like to thank all of the birders who have taken the time to report
their sightings to us, helping to make these Ontbirds reports as
comprehensive as possible!

Steve