Report for April 26, 2003 (Saturday): Migration is improving with every slight increase in warmer temperatures. Today there were few new migrants, but these included Black-throated Green Warbler and others. Miscellaneous sightings on April 25 (Friday): Little Gull (adult) at the dock area behind the park office Bank Swallow, same area as above Spotted Sandpiper (2), same area as above Miscellaneous sightings on April 26 (Saturday): Little Gull (adult) flying N over Lakeshore Road Willet at the dock area behind the park store (Blake Mann, Steve Charbonneau) There are mudflats developing along the bay shore just inside the park entrance, in the vicinity of the park store and start of the Marsh Trail, etc. In this area there are hundreds of Bonaparte’s Gulls, Forster’s Terns, Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper and the above-mentioned Willet etc. The Blenheim sewage lagoons have little shorebird habitat, but 1000+ ducks are present including hundreds of Ruddy Duck (Note: A free permit from the town office is required for entry to this site). Alan Wormington, Friends of Rondeau ************************************************* RONDEAU BIRDING EVENTS: DAILY BIRDING HIKES WITH AN EXPERT (free): April 24-27 inclusive, and 30 May 1 to 19 inclusive, and 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: 7:00 p.m. on Marsh Trail -- meet at parking lot (Note: May 7 and 14 hikes are in Ridgetown, and will start at 6:00 p.m. -- 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 Group size limited -- sign up at the Visitor Centre Additional Events: BIRDERS BREAKFAST: May 1-20 inclusive -- 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Visitor Centre FIRST ANNUAL RONDEAU BIG-DAY BIRDING COMPETITION: May 9-10 -- Noon to Noon (24 hours), winners receive the Rondeau Cup: Register in advance at the Visitor Centre or via e-mail to sandy.dobbyn@mnr.gov.on.ca "AN EVENING IN THE PARK" with Ethan Meleg May 10 -- 6:30 p.m. "Confessions of a Crazed Bird Photographer" -- includes guest speaker, horsd'ourves dinner, wine social, silent auction, bucket raffle and presentation of the Rondeau Cup. Tickets ($25) are limited -- phone 674- 1768 or e-mail friends@rondeauprovincialpark.ca WADERS TO WARBLERS May 11 -- 2:00 p.m. at the Visitor Centre; join Scott Fairbairn and John Reaume to hear about their adventures with bird photography. "WHY DO BIRDS SING" May 15 -- at the Visitor Centre; John Neville entertains you with his audio presentation on birds and why they sing. For additional information on these events, please visit the Friends of Rondeau 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.