Report for May 10, 2003 (Saturday): Birding today is exceptionally slow, but small pockets of warblers and other migrants can be found throughout the park. However both Sunday and Monday could be excellent birding days, as a new warm front approaches southern Ontario. There has been no subsequent sighting of the EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE after seen at 8:00 a.m. on May 8, along Lakeshore Road south of the Visitor Centre. Last night’s scheduled hike on the Marsh Trail produced a singing Sedge Wren at the same location as last week, a few km. south from the parking area. Also a single Sandhill Crane was seen. Just outside the park gate at the intersection, the famous “flowering crab- apple” tree is now in bloom. This tree is always an easy place to see Ruby- throated Hummingbird, Baltimore & Orchard Orioles, and (soon) Cape May Warbler. Yesterday this single tree had (5) Orchard Orioles. Golden-winged Warblers were reported today at the Visitor Centre (tree above the bird-feeders) and Rondeau Road near Spicebush Trail. The Blenhein sewage lagoons have a good variety of ducks including many Ruddy Ducks. There is limited habitat for shorebirds, although a field adjacent to the north side had thousands of gulls including hundreds of Bonaparte’s Gulls. In the grassy meadow at the north side of the lagoons, a Western Meadowlark was present on Monday May 5 (Steve Charbonneau). Note that a free permit is required to visit the site, available from the town office in downtown Blenheim. Alan Wormington, Friends of Rondeau ************************************************* DAILY BIRDING HIKES WITH AN EXPERT (free): May 1-19 and May 23-26 inclusive Each day there is a morning hike at 7:30 a.m. -- meet at the Visitor Centre. Each day there is also an afternoon OR evening hike, as follows: Mondays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park - meet at the Visitor Centre Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. at the Blenheim Sewage Ponds - map available at the V.C. Wednesdays: 6:00 p.m. in Ridgetown -- meet at the Native Trail, Scane Road just south of Golf Course Line Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Fridays: 7:00 p.m. on Marsh Trail -- meet at parking lot Saturdays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre Sundays: 1:00 p.m. in the Park -- meet at the Visitor Centre For Additional Birding Events at Rondeau, visit the “Friends” website at www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ friends@rondeauprovincialpark.ca Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.