May 3, 2005 Bird migration has been halted by the cold front, north winds and the periodic sleet and rain for the past three days. Despite that dismal picture, several brave migrants have been trickling into the Rondeau Provincial Park Birding area. On May 1st, during a short burst of morning sunlight, 1 water pipit flew overhead towards the base of the point at Beach Access # 10, while more than 2000 double-crested cormorants herded the baitfish along the Lake Erie shoreline. Bonaparte's gulls, great black-backed gulls and Forster's terns could seen competing for the fishing frenzy. A walk along the marsh walk to the new two-storey viewing tower produced a singing Virginia rail, 1 fox sparrow and 1 vesper sparrow while the resident bald eagle adult and the immature from last year can be seen patrolling the shorelines of the bay and the lake. The drive to Erieau later in the day was rewarded by a great egret seen in McGeachy's Pond along with a nesting pair of mute swans. On May 2nd, a visit to the Blenhheim Sewage Lagoons produced 15 ruddy ducks, 20 Bonaparte's gulls, 10 American wigeon and singing horned larks. Today, May 3rd, another visit to McGeachy's Ponds near Erieau, produced over 400 American golden plover, 36 pectoral sandpiper and 50 dunlin. At the South Point Trail in the park, a small flock of 15 black-bellied plover flew by heading northwest. As for all three days during this reporting period, yellow- rumped warbler, Nashville warbler and black and white warblers are being reported each day trickling in. It is expected that as soon as the weather breaks with good warm southerly flows, many more species will be found throughout the Rondeau Provincial Park birding area. To get to Rodeau, take the Hwy 401 exit 101 and follow the signs south to the park. Bob Knudsen Bird Hike Leader Friends of Rondeau ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/