Victoria Day Weekend 2020 Birding Part One

Numbers of birds finally arrived coinciding with the "official" opening of Rondeau Provincial Park.  Dozens of birders descended upon the park, many of which do not often visit Rondeau.  It was nice to see so many familiar faces as we usually do this time of year.

It did not seem like the Victoria Day Weekend, as it is early this year.  As well, there have been few birds until Friday.

I arrived early Friday morning after driving through heavy rain, but oddly enough it stopped just before I arrived!  In fact, the sun was out most of the morning for a beautiful day.  I did not bring the camera after looking at the forecast, but as usual the forecast left something to be desired.
However, it was a great day of birding as we added many first-of-year birds.  Our party did not come across any rarities, but some decent ones were found in the park.  A lucky visitor spotted a flyover Neotropic Cormorant.  A Kentucky Warbler was also reported and not seen or heard again.

We found about 21 species of warblers and other migrants some of which were in high numbers.  Least Flycatchers seemed to have arrived in full force with totals tripping the eBird filter.

Tennesee Warbler

Many added the staple White-winged Dove for their year lists!  Will another female find it this year, as it did two years ago?  If so, will we finally get a confirmed breeding record?  Time will tell.
It has been up to its usual antics.

In early afternoon, the skies clouded over and rain came down, prompting many of us to call it quits for a while at least.

Today, was another story under sunny and warm conditions.  To begin, our party started at maintenance and walked the look down to Bennett and back up Rondeau Road.  We added more FOY's and big numbers of some birds.

While on Bennett, we lucked out just after a pair of Summer Tanagers was spotted.  An attractive young male was accompanied by a female, but remained high in the trees.

Speaking of tanagers, they did not arrive to any degree until yesterday.

Near the end of our loop while we were behind maintenance, we received word that a Kirtland's Warbler was found in the campground by Peter Burke.  As it was not far, we scurried to the location and found the tail-pumping bird foraging on the ground.  I was not on the ball with the camera today, but obtained record shots.

It is the third one I have seen in Rondeau, the first being a self-found bird many years ago.  It is at least the eighth record for Rondeau.

Interestingly, another Kirtland's Warbler was found a bit later down Harrison Trail by John Adams. We met up with John and saw his photo.  Despite many looking for it, it was not relocated.

Golden-winged Warblers were reported in the park both days, but eluded us on our walks.  However, while on Bennett in early afternoon, one was spotted foraging high in a tree.  Finally, we tallied one!

Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were numerous the last two days, with most parties recording some.  For whatever reason, our party could not locate one!  Lots more to come though.

Even several Blackpoll Warblers have been reported, so it is an interesting mix of birds that finally arrived after this spring's horrid weather.  The next couple of days is going into the toilet again, it appears!  Way too much rain forecast, which we do not need at all as so many places are flooded.

Yellow Warblers have finally arrived in their big numbers.  It is always nice to see the first one in April, but by this time, they are found by the dozens.

Locally, the hotspot seems to be Peers Wetland where we have found a good selection and number of warblers.  A couple of Common Gallinules have arrived, and perhaps they will nest there as they did a couple of years ago.