Rondeau Park Migrants

Early Morning Scene on South Point Trail

We finally have some decent weather on our hands. I spent Friday morning at Rondeau Park, as well as part of Saturday morning. Some new migrants had arrived, but certainly not big numbers.

Most notable were sparrows and Hermit Thrushes. Driving down Lakeshore Road Friday morning revealed dozens of Juncos. Many newly arrived Song Sparrows were mixed in as well. A number of Fox Sparrows were around plus Field, Swamp and Savannah. There were at least three Savannah Sparrows in a grassy area along the beach at south point trail.

Savannah Sparrow

I could hear Sandhill Cranes out in the marsh, as well as an American Bittern. The first Wilson's Snipe made an aerial display.

There were absolutely no warblers in the south part of the park. Near the visitor centre I heard a Pine Warbler sing twice, but I never saw it, nor could I locate it.

Near the maintenance yard I saw the first male Yellow-rumped Warbler of the season, and farther down Harrison Trail was another. Those were the only warblers that I could find in the whole park!

Snapping Turtle on the road

Pileated Woodpeckers were vocal and drumming. I saw two and heard another.

Some butterflies were out. I saw a Mourning Cloak fly through spicebush trail. There were several Spring Azures and a single Eastern Comma behind the maintenance yard.

Spring Azure

Saturday morning was rather quiet, but certainly more Hermit Thrushes had arrived along with a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Perhaps more Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were in the park too.

There were fewer Juncos, but probably just as many Song Sparrows.

A single Yellow-rumped Warbler was on south point trail, and another, perhaps one of yesterday's near the Pony Barn area.

Out on the lake were many Ruddy Ducks, some Common Loons and Horned Grebes among the other ducks.

Bufflehead on the lake

The wildflowers were just sprouting at Rondeau Park, but at Sinclair's Bush inland, Bloodroot and Trout Lilly were blooming. I saw some Coltsfoot along the bluffs south of Morpeth.

Bloodroot