Rondeau Provincial Park, Point Pelee National Park and Carden Plain (Wylie Road), Ontario, April 2017
Trip Map
All photos are copyright Allan or Cathy Murrant unless otherwise stated.
Rondeau Provincial Park, April 27, 2017 to April 30, 2017
We only spent 3 days at Rondeau PP. We should have planned for more time here. The network of trails is great. There is a well stocked clean feeding station at the visitor center. We liked the campground too. The birders here were friendly and helpful. We didn't get any lifers but we photograped Tufted Titmouse for the first time.
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse was coming into the feeder at the visitor center this was the highlight of our stay. We had only seen this species once before.
Other sightings were Rose-breasted Grosbeack, White-crowned Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Brown-headed Cowbird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee and Red-winged Blackbird. We enjoyed the feeder because the group of birds was completely different than what comes to our feeder home.
White-winged Dove
The birders were very friendly and one birder in particular invited us to view his feeder anytime during our visit. We found his feeder and parked on the roadside. We got a picture and a rare view of a White-winged Dove that he had visiting his feeder.
Point Pelee National Park
We were in Point Pelee from May 1st to the 18th. We got 173 species during our visit. We got 2 lifers Acadian Flaycather and Louisiana Waterthrush. We photographed 5 new species Acadian Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush and Northern Waterthrush. The "Festival of Birds" is held each year in Point Pelee it started May 1, 2017 and went until May 22, 2017. The Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park welcome "birders" each spring to experience the avian migration phenomenon from Canada's southernmost mainland. You can visit their site for more information.
http://friendsofpointpelee.com/festivalofbirds
Kirtland's Warbler
Kirtland's Warbler was nearly extinct 50 years ago. It is now listed as a threatened species. We found the Kirtland's Warbler south of the west beach being guarded by a warden and followed by a small group of photographers. I viewed the bird for a few minutes and left Allan to get a photo. We have a Nikon Coolpix P900 with 83x zoom. It's great for getting pictures without harrassing the birds. I decided the bird didn't need me staring at it too so I walked half a kilometer up the beach and sat on a log with Puddles my toy poodle. I could see the bird was headed in my direction by the location of the warden and the photographers. Before I knew it the warden was standing over me asking if I was ok. I replyed fine that I was waiting for my husband who was part of the group taking pictures. The bird was still a few hundred feet away so I asked the him if it should come near me should I move away. He replyed no if it came to me I could just stay still. So it wasn't very long and the Kirtland's Warbler came and sat on the log with me and the photo above was taken.
We found Purple Martin along Mersea Road E just outside the park. They were perched on the wires near birdboxes put up by the home owners.
Gray-cheeked Thrush were seen along the Tilden Woods Trail
Louisiana Waterthrush
We spotted this lifer along the Tilden Woods Trail. Allan and I work together getting photos. If the bird moves out of the view of the lens Allan can quickly loose sight of the bird. I follow the bird helping Allan to get back onto it for more pictures. Me calling out the locations eg.on the log can help him but it also attracts some attention from other birders. Depending on the popularity of the bird I can get quite a crowd of birders behind me. I have often looked up and was surprised by the group so I move out of the way for them to get a look.
Northern Waterthrush were seen along the Tilden Woods Trail
Acadian Flycatcher was seen near the tip. It was shy but we managed to get a series of pictures. If you look in the photogallery you will see more of this bird.
Lake St. Clair on May 7th, 2017
We took a drive up to Lake St. Clair for a look at Yellow-headed Blackbird. We found them but we didn't get great looks. We also found Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Common Moorhen and Green Heron.
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Carden Plain May 18th to May 25th
We birded the Wylie Road, Prospect Marsh and drove the roads in the area. We had 103 species no lifers but we got our first pictures of Least Bittern. Some birds are beautiful and some are just mind blowing when you see them. Least Bittern is a mind blower.
