Nestled deep within the heart of Carolinian Canada, lies Ontario’s second oldest Provincial Park: Rondeau!
14 May 2012

Rondeau Migration Report May 10

Our daily warbler roundup yielded 26 species. The Yellow-throated
continues to visit feeders regularly (if erratically) at a site on
Lakeshore near the Visitor Centre. It was seen between at least 9:30
am and 5:15 pm. The bird only goes to the suet feeder very briefly on
each visit. This fact, combined with the known presence of two
individuals, suggests that perhaps there might be a nest somewhere???
We have also received reports of a bird being seen on South Point
Trail. Speculations abound!

Birders searching for Tuesday’s Le Conte’s Sparrow on South Point
Trail turned up a singing Prairie Warbler. Also in the same vicinity
was a very cooperative Blue-winged.

Other warblers of note included Orange-crowned on Spicebush, South
Point and Tulip Tree Trails; Northern Parula on at Pony Barn and on
South Point Trail; Blackpoll on Spicebush and South Point Trails;
Wilson’s at the Visitor Centre garden / feeders and on South Point
Trail; and Canada on 5 trails. The best warbler trail – indeed the
best birding trail overall – was most certainly South Point.

As for other passerines, Yellow-throated Vireo was observed on Tulip
Tree and South Point Trails. Scarlet Tanagers were present in good
number on many trails.

Two Common Ravens circling over South Point Trail were of great
interest here in the deep south. Also soaring overhead were an adult
and two immature Bald Eagles (perhaps second year birds).

There were at least three Red-headed Woodpeckers seen on South Point
Trail, in addition to the one attending the Visitor Centre feeders.

Outside the park, but still in the general Rondeau area, my afternoon
bird hike yesterday visited the Blenheim Lagoons. We saw a good
variety of waterfowl, including 1 Northern Pintail, 2 American Wigeon,
1 Blue-winged Teal, 1 pair of Redhead, about 25 Ruddy Ducks, and about
15 each of Lesser Scaup and Bufflehead. A number of shorebirds were
also present, including 2 Short-billed Dowitchers, 6 Least Sandpipers,
2 Ruddy Turnstones, about 125 Dunlin, and 6 Lesser Yellowlegs. Other
waterbirds included 1 Pied-billed Grebe and 2 American Coots. In the
non-aquatic category, there were about 15 Bobolinks, 2 Cliff Swallows
and 2 Chimney Swifts.

Just east of the park, 2 Cattle Egrets were seen briefly south of
Morpeth, near Wildwood Park, at 9:30 am. Later searches of the local
area failed to turn up any sign of the birds. At Erieau harbour,
sightings included a Black Tern. On the rocks across the channel,
there were at least 100 each of Common Terns and Dunlin, as well as 3
Ruddy Turnstones. The south beach shoreline of the park, also visible
from Erieau harbour, hosted over 100 Dunlin and about 50 Black-bellied
Plovers.

I owe much appreciation to all of the birders who have taken the time
to send me messages, report their sightings at the Visitor Centre, and
even (gasp!) – to write their observations in the Dreaded B.i.r.d
S.i.g.h.t.i.n.g.s B.o.o.k! My thanks to everyone last one of you!

Good birding

10 May 2012

Rondeau Migration Report – May 9

Our Rondeau warbler-counters have produced an impressive list of 24
species for this bright sunny morning. The Yellow-throated at 17372
Lakeshore Road continues to be the star of the show. It was seen up
to 7 pm yesterday, and from 8:30 am today.

Other high-octane warblers included Hooded at the Visitor Centre,
Blue-winged in the very general vicinity of the Visitor Centre;
Orange-crowned at South Point Trail; Northern Parula on South Point
Trail; Northern Waterthrush on South Point Trail; Blackpoll on
Lakeshore Road; Wilson’s in the garden / feeder area at the Visitor
Centre; and Canada on Lakeshore Road.

For those who enjoy observing passerines other than warblers, there
was a Yellow-throated Vireo on Spicebush Trail. We have had no
further reports of the Le Conte’s Sparrow seen yesterday on South
Point Trail.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Pony Barn was late. Four Sandhill
Cranes were seen flying over the Visitor Centre.

There were a few tense moments when a Cooper’s Hawk slashed through
the trees near the Yellow-throated Warbler feeder. Relieved observers
reported no sign of a little paruline corpse in the hawk’s talons!

I will report on birds at Blenheim Lagoons following our hike there
this afternoon.

Good birding

04 May 2012

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.

 

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

02 May 2012

Seventeen Species of Warbler

Seventeen species of warbler in the Park today

Tulip Tree Trail

Nashville Chestnut sided

Magnolia

Black throated green

Blackburnian

Oven bird

Common yellow throat

Black and white

Spicebush

Yellow

Yellow rump

Nashville

Canada

Northern Parula

Cape May

Black throated green

Blackburnian

Palm

Black and white

Northern waterthrush

Hooded

South Point

Nashville

Magnolia

black throated green

Blackburnian

Black and white

Ovenbird

Other

Catbird Pine Siskin Rusty blackbirds Possible Brewers Orioles, hummingbirds, rose breasted grosbeaks, Hermit and Wood thrushes and the standard sparrow etc.

The yellow throated warbler was seen yesterday at the visitor centre. No sightings for today.

08 Nov 2011

2011 RAFFLE WINNERS

The winners of the 2011 Friends or Rondeau Raffle are:

The Prisner Family of Chatham – 16 foot Echo Canoe

Arnie Tyson of Union – Reclaimed ash picnic table

 

 

 

 

Brian Patterson of Pain Court – Annual pass to Ontario Parks.

Thanks to every one who purchased tickets. We appreciate your support.

22 Jun 2011

Proposed new By-Laws Friends of Rondeau

The Friends of Rondeau is updating its by laws to reflect current legislative requirements and to adjust certain language to properly reflect new terminology.

 

The by laws have been reviewed by the Board of Directors and will be presented to the membership for ratification at the Annual General Meeting being held August 14, 2011 at 10.00 A.M.

The meeting will be held at the visitor centre in Rondeau Park.

 

The following are the proposed by laws:

 

 

 

 

The Friends of Rondeau Park

 

By-laws

 

Article I

 

Name:

 

The name of this organization shall be “The Friends of Rondeau Park”, and hereafter in these By-laws shall be referred to as “The Friends”.

The Head Office of the Friends shall be at 18050 Rondeau Park Road, R.R. 1, Morpeth, Ontario, N0P 1X0.

 

 

Article II

 

Purpose:

 

1.  The Friends purpose is to encourage and support programs for interpretive, educational, scientific, historical, protection and preservation purposes related to the natural and historical resources of Rondeau Provincial Park and other Ontario Provincial Parks by

 

a) undertaking specific projects and initiatives such as providing educational/interpretive             publications, maps, audio-visual materials and other appropriate items related to Rondeau            Provincial Park;

 

b) encouraging and supporting public-spirited research of Rondeau Provincial Park’s natural, historical, and cultural resources with a view to disseminating such research findings to the public;

 

c) supplementing and enhancing existing Park educational/interpretive and recreational programs             by offering periodic special events and activities for the benefit of the public; and

 

d) stimulating community interest and understanding of Rondeau Provincial Park to help             ensure the protection of its natural and cultural resources.

 

2. The Friends organization shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members and any profits or other accretions to The Friends shall be used in promoting its objectives and for no other purpose.

 

 

Article III

 

Membership:

 

1. Membership shall be open to any person subscribing to the purpose and objectives of The Friends. There shall be four classes of memberships: individual, family, and group/corporate.

 

2. Application to any of these above classes of membership shall be in writing, and shall be accompanied by such fee as may be determined from time to time by the Annual General Meeting.

 

3. Each membership in good standing shall be entitled to one vote at general meetings.

Membership shall be for 12 months from the time of application and payment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article IV

 

Meetings:

 

1.     The Friends shall hold at least one general meeting annually. Notice of such meetings shall be sent electronically and posted on The Friends’ website at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

2.     At every annual meeting, in addition to any other business that may be transacted, the report of the Directors the financial statement and the report of the accountant shall be presented and a Board of Directors elected and accountants appointed for the ensuing year and the remuneration of the accountants be fixed.

 

2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chair, or on the request of three or more directors, or on the request of ten or more memberships in good standing.

 

3.  A quorum at the Annual General Meeting shall consist of a majority of the members on attendance. The memberships shall be in good standing.

 

4. At all meetings of members every question put to a vote shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the                       memberships present.

 

Article V

 

Board of Directors:

 

1. The Board of Directors of The Friends shall manage The Friends and shall call at least four meetings yearly.

 

2 a) The Board of Directors shall consist of at least three (3) directors elected for a term of two years by vote at the AGM. Directors may be nominated by the Board or from the floor of the AGM.  Directors must be a member in good standing for a minimum of 24 months prior to his election.

b) The election may be by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by any member.

 

3. A vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled at the discretion of the directors. This member must be ratified at the next AGM.

 

4. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the directors present. In case of a tie vote, the President shall have a vote.

 

5. i) Ontario Parks employees may serve as Directors of The Friends, but must never comprise a majority of its members. Ontario Parks’ employees shall not act as Officers, nor shall they negotiate or execute contracts, sign cheques or hire or dismiss Friends’ employees.

ii) Ontario Parks’ employees shall not represent The Friends in any matter between The Friends and Ontario Parks.

iii) The Park Superintendent and/or Park Liaison Officer may be appointed ex officio to the Board of Directors of The Friends, but shall not exercise a vote or hold office.

 

6. The directors shall serve without remuneration, and directors shall not receive directly or indirectly any profit from their position as such. Directors may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

 

7. The members of the Friends may, by resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a general meeting of which notice specifying the intention to pass such resolution has been given, remove any director before the expiration of his term of office, and may, by a majority of the votes cast at that meeting, elect any person in his stead for the remainder of his term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article VI

 

Officers:

 

1. The officers of the Board of Directors shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall be selected by the Board from among its members at its first meeting following the AGM.

 

2. The President shall call and preside at all meetings of The Friends, shall authorize special meetings, and shall be an ex officio member of all committees.

 

3. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President if absent.

 

4. The Secretary shall record the minutes of the AGM and any other regular or special meetings of The Friends, and shall be responsible for correspondence.

 

5. The Treasurer shall keep such records as may be necessary and shall present annual statements to the Board, and shall submit the records for examination by an Auditor if required, or upon request to the Board.

 

6. Signing authority shall rest with two of the three of the Vice-President, Treasurer, and one other director. Where a conflict of interest in signing authorities occurs another director shall be appointed to sign.

 

7. The directors-at-large shall chair committees as required.

 

Article VII

 

Committees:

 

The Board of Directors may appoint such committees from time to time as they deem advisable, including appointments who are not members of The Friends, and may delegate such authority as they deem appropriate, provided such that actions taken or recommended by such committees are subject to approval by the Board.

 

Article VIII

 

Protection of the Board of Directors:

 

The Friends shall hold a general liability policy for bodily injury and property damage which will include coverage for the Directors. The Friends shall not protect any Director for acts of fraud, dishonesty, bad faith, or criminal acts.

 

Article IX

 

Amendment:

 

These By-Laws may be added to or amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting of The Friends, provided that due notice of the proposed amendments shall have been given at least thirty days prior to the date of such meeting by communicating a copy of such proposals to each membership.

 

Article X

 

Dissolution:

 

In the event of dissolution of The Friends, all its physical assets and educational materials shall be transferred to Ontario Parks. Its cash assets, after payments of liabilities, are required by law to be distributed to charities having purposes similar to the Friends, which carry on their work solely in Ontario.

 

 

Article XI

Borrowing

 

The directors may a) borrow money on the credit of the Corporation

b) Issue, sell or pledge securities of the Corporation to secure any debt or obligation of the Corporation.

 

 

NOTE: These proposed by-laws were adopted at the AGM of August 14, 2001

 

 

29 May 2011

Fish crow

A fish crow was seen and heard along South Point Trail Sunday morning.

Later in the afternoon it was seen and heard near beach access 10 which is across from the visitors centre.

There were no further reports of the western tanager being seen.