Hello,
On behalf of the Friends of Rondeau, I would like to thank everyone who supported the annual Friends of Rondeau Raffle. We are pleased to announce our winners for 2023:
1st Prize- Pat M.
2nd Prize- David J.
3rd Prize- Annie Y.
Congrats again to our winners!
Sincerely,
Brady Watterworth
President
Our AGM will be held on August 27 at 9am. We will meet at the pavilion located across from the marsh trail building. All are welcome.
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
Join us from May 6-21 for twice-daily guided bird hikes led by our experienced birder Kevin. He will introduce you to the wonders of Rondeau’s spring birding season.
Guided hikes are $15 per person with a 15 person max per hike. All hikes will meet at the Visitor Centre unless otherwise stated.
Schedule is as follows:
Mondays- 7:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Tuesdays- 7:30 AM & 7:00 PM
Wednesdays- 7:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Thursdays- 7:30 AM & 1:00 PM (at the Blenheim sewage lagoons)
Fridays- 7:30 AM & 7:00 PM
Saturdays- 7:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Sundays- 7:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Please call the Visitor Centre at 519-674-1768 to register.
The Rondeau Provincial Park Visitor Centre is hosting a day-long Cultural Celebration on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Join us for a day of learning and sharing.
10:00am – Book Reading, A Walk in Nature – Janne Peters, Caldwell First Nation
11:15am – Storytelling and Dancing – Herb Snake, Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Lunch (finger foods and sandwiches)
1:00pm – Art Workshop – John Williams, Aamjiwnaang First Nation
(pre-registration required)
Please call the Visitor Centre at (519)-674-1768 for more information and to reserve your spot.
Rondeau Provincial Park will be carrying out a Deer Herd Reduction (DHR) this year in partnership with the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown. Provisions for wildlife management activities, such as DHRs, are provided for in the park management plan that was developed through consultation with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities. The park will be closed for a half day on November 19, 20, 26, 27 and Dec 3, 4 from one half hour before sunrise until 12 noon. Closure signs will be posted at all park entrances and park staff will be present to advise members of the public that the park is closed during the harvest dates and that access is prohibited until the park reopens.
The 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Rondeau will take place on August 29th at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held online, and all members of the Friends are welcome to attend. To request login information for the meeting, please email rondeauprovincialpark@gmail.com.
The Friends of Rondeau is currently seeking nominations for people interested in joining our Board of Directors. Any member in good standing of the Friends of Rondeau organization is eligible to join the Board. For more information, or if you would like to put your name forward, please email rondeauprovincialpark@gmail.com.
Rondeau’s Guided Canoe Hikes are back!
A canoe is a wonderful place from which to experience the amazing biodiversity of Rondeau Bay and the Rondeau marsh. Join park naturalists for a guided canoe “hike” on the Bay this summer! Canoes are available to rent for $25 for one boat or $40 for two. (You are also welcome to join us with your own canoe, kayak, or paddleboard!) See our Events Calendar for upcoming dates.
Our canoe hikes are always a popular event, and limited spaces are available on each hike, so be sure to book your spot in advance! Call the Visitor Centre at 519-674-1768 to pre-register or for more information.
A recording of a Turtle Nesting Workshop hosted by the Adopt-A-Pond Program at the Toronto Zoo and Parks Canada is currently available for viewing. This workshop is specific to turtles in Ontario, where nesting season has begun across the GTA! This is an incredibly vulnerable time for female turtles across the province, and the good news is that there are actions that each of us can take to help conserve and protect these unique and charismatic creatures.
The workshop contains information on who to contact if you see a nesting turtle, and actions that you can take to make a positive difference for turtles in your communities, cottages, roadways, and wherever else you may see them. You will also have the option to request a Build-Your-Own Nest Protector Kit from Parks Canada. Build-Your-Own Nest Protector Kit quantities are limited and protectors will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, and you will need to be able to pick the kit up from the Rouge National Urban Park.
To register for the workshop recording, please complete this short registration form. Registration will remain open until June 15th, 2022.