Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Birding Areas => Topic started by: Reg on February 26, 2011, 05:21:23 PM

Title: Point Pelee Trip
Post by: Reg on February 26, 2011, 05:21:23 PM

My wife and I are planing a trip to Point Pelee in early May to shoot some spring birds
we haven't been there before.
Should we book a guided tour, or would we be better to go it alone?
Just wondering what to expect when we get there.
Is it easy to get around on your own?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Reg.

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Post by: Reuven_M on February 26, 2011, 06:10:29 PM

Very easy to get around, the park is quite small and there is a bus to the tip and back. And there are usually enough people around to point out any interesting birds, so I don't know how much point there would be to a tour.

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Post by: Moira on February 26, 2011, 06:50:03 PM

It is very easy to get along on your own and obvious where there are good sightings (crowd of people).  We did sign up for a guided walk to the tip and it was also very good, especially if you're not great in identifying all the warblers.  They also have postings of the sightings for each day, so you can decide which trail to take, based on your interest.

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Post by: Lloyd on February 26, 2011, 10:38:16 PM

I'd be more concerned about accommodations. Anytime in May is the most popular time for birders at Pt.Pelee. Don't forget to check out areas outside the park as well like Hillman Marsh and the onion fields. Also of interest, Leamington hosts the largest population of Mexican migrant workers in Canada so be sure to dine at one of the many authentic "restaurantes".

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Post by: Sahria on February 27, 2011, 01:09:09 AM

You can now drive to the tip and park, as well the marsh boardwalk has been replaced. The park is very easy to get around, seeing as it's pretty small and the trails are simple. I would have to agree with Lloyd, accommodations are going to be getting slimmer and slimmer the more we approach May. Regarding a guided hike, there are so many birders about that you're going to come across pockets of people with valuable information about the bird they're stalking. Unless you're unfamiliar with the species in the area at the time, I would save my money and watch the posting boards (although money earned does go to the Friends of Point Pelee who help preserve and enrich the park, which you can support buying yourself breakfast or lunch in the park).

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Post by: Reg on February 27, 2011, 10:12:44 AM

Thanks everyone for your help, it's much appreicated, it looks like you are right
as the hotels in the area are booked up, guess i'll have to look a little further away
from the park for a room.

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Post by: angieinto on February 27, 2011, 10:16:31 AM

I've also heard that is a great place to check as well, and we plan too when on our Point Pelee trip this year. We're staying down 2 nights, 3 days in May.
http://www.ojibway.ca/index.htm (http://www.ojibway.ca/index.htm)

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Post by: Bird Brain on February 27, 2011, 03:53:32 PM

Check out Jack Miner's Bird Sanctuary in Kingsville - never know what you'll see there plus I had great luck years ago sighting Bobolink across the street!

Also check out Colasanti's Tropical Gardens - so much to see and do here!

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Post by: farmer on February 27, 2011, 09:15:58 PM

Windsor or Chatham is about an hour away if you can't get a room around the area. Point Pelee gives you shore, swamp and bush in a releatively small area, so you can find a good variety. Hillman marsh is nice too, but more swamp, less bush. That's good advice too about Mexican restaurants; Tacos Tony (http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?rls=co ... 6719853139 (http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?rls=com.microsoft:en-ca:IE-SearchBox&oe=&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=tacos+tony&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=tacos+tony&hnear=Windsor,+ON&cid=2863323136719853139))
is my favourite. It's not big or fancy, but great soft tacos. 2 bucks each and 3-4 will more than fill you up!
I can't wait till spring!

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Post by: Reg on February 28, 2011, 11:11:56 AM

Thanks again everyone, I was able to book a room at the Comfort Inn in Leamington
I was told it was their last room. Being in Leamington, the park can't be that far away
right?
We are booked there for two nights in May, hope to take in some of the areas around Windsor also.

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Post by: Moira on February 28, 2011, 12:12:31 PM

Hi Reg - I wasn't going to post this, because I can't remember the name of the restaurant :) - but no doubt someone else will.  It's on the road right out of the park on the right-hand side.  We had a fish dinner there last year that was really good.  They serve local yellow perch.  The Mexican sounds great as well though.

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Post by: Brian Bailey on February 28, 2011, 12:35:26 PM

Quote from: "Moira"

Hi Reg - I wasn't going to post this, because I can't remember the name of the restaurant :) - but no doubt someone else will.  It's on the road right out of the park on the right-hand side.  We had a fish dinner there last year that was really good.  They serve local yellow perch.  The Mexican sounds great as well though.

No trip to Pelee is complete without a feast of perch at Paula's Fish Place!

BB

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Post by: farmer on February 28, 2011, 01:03:29 PM

Yes, Paula's Fish Place is the name, just a few minutes from the gates at Point Pelee park. They have good fish, the address is:
Paula's Fish Place
857 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON N8H 3V4
(519) 326-1292 ‎
It will probably be about a 10 minute drive to the park from the comfort inn.

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Post by: Moira on February 28, 2011, 05:57:47 PM

Thanks guys - it's worth a visit!

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Post by: egret on March 09, 2011, 01:35:23 PM

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/ne/ne5.aspx (http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/ne/ne5.aspx)

one more link for ya


Egret ;)

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Post by: Luv2Bird on March 09, 2011, 01:51:12 PM

We stayed at a very nice B n B in Leamington last May. It's not too far to drive and you can stop along the way since there are always .. "surprises" to see. There was a flock of wild turkeys on the road near the entry to the park.   There were Dunlins in a farmer's field not far from the park.  Have a great time.