Pt. Pelee May 9-11
Outdoor Ontario

Pt. Pelee May 9-11

Lloyd · 1 · 1458

Lloyd

  • Old Timer
  • *****
    • Posts: 203
Our annual Mother's Day mecca to Pt. Pelee National Park yielded smaller numbers as has been the case in recent years but there were noteworthy exceptions. Many fellow birders were as lucky as I to see the Prothonotary Warbler amid numerous other warbler species. Thanks to other contributors of this site, it was easy to go to the exact location of the PW where I also spotted Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush and Louisiana Waterthrush.  
    Notable Vireos included, Red-eyed, Warbling and Blue-headed. As hard as I tried, I did not see the White-eyed Vireo that so many others apparantly had. Also of note was a sighting of a red morph Summer Tanager (female) which I saw on two occasions. I've seen the Summer adult male in it's spectacular red plumage and I've seen the half green and half red immature but this bird was an all-over pale, pale rust with bright orange-red under the tail and no sign of green. Nevertheless, the birding pros at the Visitor Centre confirmed the species and sex as it had been reported by many others.
    Outside the park at the end of Mersea Road 'C' and opposite the onion fields, were several dozen Black-bellied Plovers along with many Ruddy Turnstone and two Horned Larks feeding along the furrows. While observing these birds, my wife alluded me to six Sandhill Cranes flying overhead across the field. This, by the way, is the same location where only just a few years ago I observed the Glossy Ibis along with so many other birders. It's worth the short drive.
    I think the highlight for me this year was witnessing the courtship rituals of the American Woodcock which take place about 30 minutes after the sun sets. This was the climax to a twilight hike my wife and I booked...highly recommended.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Lloyd »