Another successful OFO convention is in the books. Weather was less than ideal and there were not large numbers of birds around, but there were certainly some decent ones. A good variety was located, and this is always the case when a large group of seasoned birders scour the area.
A number of field trips to various areas are held during the convention. Leaders keep a checklist of species that their group finds. Ron Tozer keeps the final tally, and I met up with him this afternoon. After adding Rondeau and Blenheim, the list stood at 171--a new record for the Pelee convention.
I led the Rondeau Park/Blenheim Lagoons portion today with assistance from Dave Milsom. We came up with an even 100 species and added a few new ones to the list such as Bay-breasted Warbler, Tufted Titmouse and Solitary Sandpiper among others.
Birds were a bit scarce in Rondeau Park, typical of most days this fall, however we did come across a couple of decent flocks of fast moving warblers.
We did well in woodpeckers, but did not add the elusive Pileated to the list. One dead tree held four species!
Blenheim Lagoons were quite productive with the summering Tundra Swan, nesting Common Moorhens, a number of American Coots, White-rumped Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher and Solitary Sandpiper.
Other good birds during the OFO weekend included Red Phalarope both at Tilbury Sewage Lagoons, and Wheatley Harbour, a few Buff-breasted Sandpipers (excellent for October) in the Onion Fields, Hudsonian Godwits at Tilbury, and a Brewer's Blackbird.
Next year's convention is going to be held at Long Point. It should be interesting as it is a great place for birding. The calendar is already marked for the last weekend in September.
I did not carry a camera this weekend, so no photos!
No comments:
Post a Comment