Rondeau May 25

Just as I expected, there were fewer birds today at Rondeau. With the birds being late this year, and good overnight conditions, birds were in a hurry to head north. However, there were still lots of birds with excellent variety today.

Notably, there were more Blackpoll, Blackburnian, Canada and Mourning Warblers. We found no Mourning Warblers yesterday, but there were a few today at the north end of the park.

There was an interesting mix of sparrows today. A few White-crowned, White-throated and Lincoln's were still around. On south point trail, Steve and I saw an out-of-place Savannah Sparrow. We wondered what it was doing there at this date. Less than half an hour later, we encountered a Grasshopper Sparrow. This is one we would expect in late April or the first week of May! These must have been very late arrivals to Ontario.

Only a fraction of Least Flycatchers were around today compared to yesterday, but at least Alder was singing today.

Thrushes were significantly fewer today.

Different warblers from yesterday included Northern Parula, Cape May, and Mourning.

Scarlet Tanagers were numerous today again.

The male Long-tailed Duck from east of the park (May 14) was just off south point trail this morning. Nice to see that at this late date!

I didn't check for shorebirds today, but many Dunlin were in Bates Marsh just outside the park.

No doubt there will still be some migrants to see next weekend, but we will certainly be fighting the tree leaves.