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CANADA  [POINT PELEE , LONG POINT , RONDEAU] 17 - 23 May 2001,

BOB BIGGS AND STEVE SCOTT

INTRODUCTION

Steve and I had been to Texas for the previous two years and were missing half a dozen Warblers, which had not arrived by the time we left Texas on either of our visits. We decided that Point Pelee, or one of  the other Canadian migration hotspots, would give us a good chance of about 10 lifers, including most of those missing Warblers.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

We booked our flight and car through GLOBESPAN, which is the only Company to operate flights out of Newcastle to Canada. We thought the price was excellent - £355 each including insurance and an upgrade to a Category "B" hire car. We booked through Thomas Cook in Morpeth.

We pre-booked accommodation by internet . We stayed one night in Simcoe at the Best Western [nearest to Long Point].  This cost 114 Canadian Dollars for the room and breakfast. We had three nights in Chatham, which is convenient enough for Rondeau and Point Pelee, on reflection. This was a special deal of 78 Dollars per night including continental breakfast. We also had two nights at the Days Inn in Leamington. Although very convenient for Point Pelee, it was unnecessarily lavish and probably not worth 120 Dollars per night with no breakfast thrown in!

We got about 2.10 Canadian Dollars to the pound during our stay.

FOOD ETC

There were a few places to eat, particularly in Chatham. We had to make do with Burgers and Fries on a couple of occasions but we didn't starve.  Petrol was much cheaper than in the UK but not quite as cheap as we remembered it in the USA, although time may well have changed the price over there as well.

WEATHER

Overall the weather was good although as usual, the worse the weather the better the birds [more of which later!]. It rained hard on 22 May without any particularly good birds in recompense. On our first full day, it was raining hard in Simcoe when we awoke, to find fog as well!! Yippee - let's go birding!

MAPS

We managed to get hold of  a Road Atlas by MapArt Publishing entitled "Ontario Road Atlas [2000 edition]. It's 20 Dollars and excellent in that it includes all side roads etc.  I found it difficult to get a copy and was lucky that my wife knew someone who was going to Toronto before we did and she was kind enough to get me a copy.  I believe it's widely available in Ontario itself but less so through the normal channels. Their no. is 905 436 2525 or fax 905 723 6677 [www.mapart.com].

BOOKS

I sent for "A Bird-finding Guide to Ontario" by Clive E Goodwin [Revised version - 1999]. This comes in very handy at times.  It probably depends on your itinerary as to whether it's a "must have". If you are staying at the "Hotspots" you could get away without it but if you are going to find some of the more remote sites, you need the Guide.

ITINERARY

May 17- Left Newcastle at 11.30 am, arriving Toronto at about 2pm.  Boeing 757s are not spacious!  Picked up car, paying about a further £30 to ensure we were covered lock, stock and barrel!  We then got caught up in a nightmare of a traffic jam and it took us an hour to do the first 10 miles out of Toronto. Once away, we made good progress to Simcoe and had enough time to look around the lake and wooded area in the grounds of the Hotel before having a burger!

May 18- Woke up to rain and fog. After breakfast, had a quick look round the lake again.  More bird activity suggested we should get away to Long Point.  Difficult drive due to fog but well worth the hardship once we arrived. Went to ringing area for most of the morning, then to Hastings Drive [about a mile away] which was dripping in warblers at shoulder level, then back to ringing area before being put on to a site for Prairie Warbler a few miles away - "East Quarter Line Road".  Moved on to Chatham.

May 19- Went to Rondeau, walking Spice Bush and Tulip Trails. Sunny day meant that most birds had gone. Then went to Visitor Centre, where we saw a few good birds on feeders before walking the South Trail.

May 20- Left Chatham for St. Clair National Wildlife Area. The first 4 people we saw asked if we'd seen Moorhen!  We were looking for Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Bitterns but we did manage a few Moorhens as well!  Back in the car, we stopped to find 100s of Black-bellied Plovers in fields close by. Then on to Trembley which was a mistake and then to Comber which was an even bigger one as we could not even find the Sewage Lagoon! Then on to Highway 37 for a Bald Eagle site before stopping at Hillman Marsh prior to checking in at Leamington .

May 21- Took the 6.40 train to the tip in slight rain. Fairly quiet.  Walked the Woodland Trail and then Tildens, which I thought was better.  Spent some time on the De Laurier Trail which was quiet and then went to the Marsh where we got absolutely soaked!  Had another look at Hillman Marsh from the car but the weather won!

May 22- Started cloudy and got worse.  Back to the Tip to be met by over 1000 Cedar Waxwing.  Pity they forgot to bring any of their mates with them!  Then did similar to previous day but had to bird between the showers, which were very heavy. Eventually it improved and we went to Hillman Marsh before making our way back to Chatham for our last night.

May 23- Went to Rondeau and covered similar trails to previous visit.  Also went to "Maintenance" area which had been good earlier in the week but wasn't for us.  Left Rondeau at 3.30pm and drove to Toronto.  Had a good journey and arrived back at car hire depot about an hour earlier than expected!  Then off to Airport for a long wait before a flight back at 10 pm, arriving at Newcastle at 10 am on Friday.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

17 May

Nothing much to report. Canada Goose was our first sighting over the Airport, followed by Starling - things could only get better!  Our trip to Simcoe was long and uneventful, seeing the occasional Grackle, Red Winged Blackbird and American Robin.  Once we had checked in at the Best Western, we walked around part of the lake in the grounds, seeing among others, Black Capped Chickadee, Chipping Sparrow, three Swallow species, Chimney Swift and Cedar Waxwing.

18 May

This would prove to be our best day. Three Grey Catbirds were in the garden area as we went outside to assess weather conditions. It was raining hard but very foggy.  A bedragelled Song Sparrow showed well as we left for Long Point. Our journey took longer than expected as the fog was fairly dense in places.  However, we had a feeling we were about to have a good day and we were right!

We arrived at the Old Cut Field Station and Visitor Station to be greeted by a Warbling Vireo which was fliting around in a tree above us. The next thing to happen was a bit unreal.  Approaching the ringing hut, a chap with a bag of birds came up to us and said "Have you seen Mourning Warbler yet? This was one of our missing 6 ,  which became 5 as he held it out for us.  " This is the best day of the year so far" he added as he reeled off the birds they had caught so far.  For once, we were in the right place at the right time!  We strolled around the area for the rest of the morning seeing Magnolia Warbler [15], Bay Breasted Warbler [5], Yellow Warbler [6], Black Throated Green Warbler [4], Blackpoll Warbler [2], Nashville Warbler [2], Tennessee Warbler [3], Blackburnian Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Yellow Rumped Warbler, American Redstart [ all singles]. We also had Whip Poor Will, Philadelphia Vireo [3] and Hairy Woodpecker before knocking off another "wanted" species when a stunning Black Throated Blue Warbler appeared in a tree above us.

This was all getting a bit too much so we decided that as the fog had lifted, we would have a look around the roads we had come along earlier.  However, as we made our way out of the "built up" area, we decided to take a left turn along a track which we now know to be Hastings Drive. This track runs parallel to the edge of the lake and on the other side has the Marsh area. We thought we might get a view over both from along the track and see waders or gulls and terns - instead we got loads of migrants!

As we made our way along Hastings Drive , we saw some activity in the bushes to our right. We stopped the car to see a Blue Headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo [4] and White Crowned Sparrow.  On the lake side of the track, there were Gulls and a couple of Black Terns flew over.  Back in the bushes, we drove and stopped regularly, seeing Warblers Galore!! - Chestnut Sided [5], Magnolia [10], Bay Breasted [5], Black Throated Blue [3] . Thankfully, we also saw Mourning Warbler along the track - we were a little uneasy about ticking the hand - held specimen earlier, although I 'm sure we would have if we hadn't seen another!

Then, we got our third new Warbler of the day when 3 Canada Warblers appeared in a small tree along the track.  Further along we saw Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler [2], Ruby Crowned Kinglet plus a few Thrush species.  A Common Loon on the other side showed brillantly.

What a place!!  The point to make here is that all of the migrants were in bushes no higher than 6 feet off the ground and many were on the ground!!  They were much easier to see here than at the Old Cut area. The moral of the story is - if it's raining birds at Long Point, try Hastings Drive as well. You'll probably get it to yourself and in the right conditions, it's an experience you won't forget in a hurry.

We then went back to the Old Cut area, seeing much of what we had seen before - which makes you wonder where all those birds at Hastings Drive had come from.  The whole area must be full of birds in conditions like we had - there will be other "Hastings Drives" all over the place I should think.

We spoke to a birder about our wonderful birding and before leaving to look for himself, he told us of a site close by for Prairie Warbler, which was another "missing" Warbler from our list.  We drove to East Quarter Line Road and, as instructed, stopped after half a mile or so on a "sand" road on our right.  We got out of the car and there they were - 2 Prairie Warblers singing off and on and showing well - until they completely disappeared and we never saw them again - we just do not get luck like this!  Where's the rub?!  We also had good views of Rose Breasted Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting at this site.  A Meadowlark showed well as we made our way to Chatham, somewhat dazed from our day's birding.  We'd already seen 4 of our possible 6 warblers and had seen hundreds of birds moving through - we had never seen so many  passerines on migration when we had been to Texas and it was an experience to cherish, even though I am aware that there have been much better days than this in the past!

19 May

Awoke to a sunny morning.  Made our way to Rondeau, seeing American Kestrel en route.  We went first to the Spice Bush Trail where we saw Wood Thrush, Yellow Warbler [3], Red Eyed Vireo [3] and  Bronzed Cowbird [10].   It was already clear that there were not many migrants about.  We met a couple of people who confirmed that the previous two days had been much better. We made our way to the Tulip Trail, where we saw Eastern Phoebe, Scarlet Tanager [2] and Red Headed Woodpecker.   Steve saw a Prothonotary Warbler but I missed it.  There were a few other migrants about but in small numbers. We then went to the Visitor Centre to see what we were missing. Outside we saw a Field Sparrow, which was a lifer for both of us.  The log confirmed our worse fears - not much about!  Having said that, we then looked out over the lake from a point close to the Visitor Centre to find a large group of  Double Crested Cormorants.  On our way back we saw some activity in nearby trees and found a small group of migrants, including White Eyed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler [3] and Song Sparrow.   Back at the feeder we saw Baltimore Oriole.   We then walked along the South Trail, seeing Blue Grey Gnatcatcher, Northern Flicker [3] and Willow Flycatcher.  There were at least 6 Eastern Kingbirds along this trail.  We then returned to the Visitor Centre and saw Red Headed Woodpecker and Chestnut Sided Warbler near the feeders.  A Red Bellied Woodpecker was on the Tulip Trail on our second visit but nothing else of any note.

20 May

Another fine day.  We made our way to St .Clair from Chatham. On arrival, Moorhen apart, we saw Black Tern [10], Forsters Tern [6], and American Coot [3].  A walk of about 15 minutes took us to the Observation Tower and from there we saw Yellow Headed Blackbird [2], Least Bittern, Belted Kingfisher and a few ducks and sparrows.  On our way back to the car, we saw a Spotted Sandpiper.  As we made our way back out along the track, we stopped the car to see 100's of Black Bellied Plover and a few Ruddy Turnstone in adjoining fields.  Trembley and Comber were a waste of time so we made our way towards Point Pelee.  We had been told of a site on Hwy 37 for Bald Eagle so we headed for that area.  Precise information meant that we were soon looking at a lifer as one of the birds flew off the nest to be replaced by its partner.  3 Horned Larks ran around in a field opposite where we had parked and a Northern Harrier flew over for good measure.  We then drove a couple of miles to Hillman Marsh, where we had a good number of waders, including Least Sandpiper [2], Short Billed Dowitcher [5], Dunlin [20], Lesser Yellowlegs [2] and Spotted Sandpiper.  We drove around to the back of the Marsh and saw a  large number of hirundines, including Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin and Sand Martin.  Ring Billed Gull [100] were sat in a field on the other side of the Marsh.

21 May

We were soon at the Point Pelee Visitor Centre waiting for the "train" to take us to the Tip.  It was cloudy and raining a little.  Unfortunately,  this was not enough to bring in large numbers of migrants.  We first looked out over the long spit area to find a few waders and plenty of Ring-billed Gulls but surprisingly, no Bonapartes.  A flock of 30 Red Knot caused lots of excitement to the large gathering.  We then walked back towards the "train" stop and found a flurry of activity in bushes on the lake side of the track.  A small party of migrants had appeared from somewhere as they had not been in this area some 30 minutes previously.  There were at least 2 Philadelphia Vireos and at least one Chestnut-Sided, Wilson's, Blackburnian, Magnolia and Canada Warbler. An Orchard Oriole appeared as did at least 3 Indigo Buntings and a Red-eyed Vireo - nice spot!

We then moved to the Woodland Trail, along which we saw Eastern Bluebird [2], Northern Parula, and a small number of other warblers that we had already seen but including Blackpoll Warbler.  Then the big one [sorry Steve,  if you're reading this!]. We were told that a Connecticut Warbler had been seen further along the Trail. Having waited for nearly an hour, and we had heard it singing on and off during that time, it popped up in front of me for about two seconds and then disappeared.  Some people had been waiting for much longer than we had - I wasn't over-popular but there you go - warbler number 5 on the list for me at least!!

We then moved on to the Tildens trail and saw quite a few warblers but nothing new. We then drove to the De Laurier trail where we saw very little but Steve saw a Northern Waterthrush [I didn't!] and we had a few common migrants and a few breeding birds.  Then to the Marsh where the heavens opened before we saw anything.  We drove to Hillman Marsh in heavy rain, saw a few Gulls and called it a day.

22 May

A cloudy day and not too promising from the wind point of view, we went back to Point Pelee, stopping first at De Laurier to find a few Eastern Bluebirds and a Brown Thrasher.  Then back on the train to the Tip.  Walked back to the end to see 100's of Cormorants.  There were Cedar Waxwing everywhere but little else.  We met a birder from England who showed us a site for Eastern Screech-Owl, a lifer for both of us. Back on the Woodland Trail, we saw our first Grey-cheeked Thrush of the trip,  plus a few common migrants.  It was now raining heavily so we looked around the Visitor Centre for a while before the rain eased off to enable us to walk Tildens again.  The first bird we saw gave us great difficulty and for a moment I thought we were on to something big.  It turned out to be a Palm Warbler but different from the ones we had seen in Texas.  There were also a number of Canada and Magnolia Warblers along the trail.  Then two birds flew across the trail and close inspection showed them to be Black-billed Cuckoo, another lifer for both of us.  This was the first day they had been seen.  Back on the Woodland Trail we saw a few more migrants, including Black -Throated Blue Warbler.  An Eastern Towhee boosted our list, together with a Carolina Wren. On our way to Hillman Marsh we saw a Great Egret and at Hillman Marsh there was a small group of waders, which included a stonking White Rumped Sandpiper.  We drove around to the other side of Hillman Marsh to see whether we could find Bobolink as they usually stop off and / or breed here.  No luck - in fact no one we spoke to had seen any for almost a week.  We had little hope of finding any so we set off back to Chatham.  Past the junction of Hwy 37 and County Road 8, opposite a business called 2 Jays Brand, I stopped the car as I had seen some movement in a large field - loads of Bobolink!  Well done me and a lifer for Steve.  I had not seen them in full plumage before and we really enjoyed watching them fly up in display.

23 May

Our last day, it was sunny when we left our Motel en route to Rondeau.  We stopped to see Savannah Sparrow but little else caught our eye.  It looked bleak from a birding point of view and our walk along Tulip Trail confirmed that.  We saw nothing new so came back towards the entrance and walked around the area known as "Maintenance", where we saw Eastern Wood Pewee and a few other regulars.  A Bald Eagle flew over and as we made our way back to the car we saw White Breasted Nuthatch, which Steve had glimpsed on our previous visit but I had missed.  There was nothing on the Spice Bush Trail and little on the South Trail except the odd Red Headed Woodpecker and the occasional Yellow Warbler [about 15!].  It seems crass to say it now on a cold November night in England, but we were sick of the sight of Yellow Warbler towards the end of our trip - terrible isn't it!  Several Cedar Waxwing apart, we were struggling to find anything so a Northern Waterthrush [my first for the trip ] was a nice surprise.  Time was getting on so we changed into our going - home clothes and set off back towards Toronto, stopping outside Rondeau to see the hamlet of Morpeth, which isn't quite the same as our version!!

SUMMARY

Lots of  reasons to go but heavily dependant on weather so it's the old story of not expecting too much. We were spoilt rotten by our first day and it was so good that everything else was something of an anti-climax.  I've read reports about Point Pelee and Rondeau which make our day at Long Point look tame but obviously you need a bit of luck with the weather.  We purposely chose a slightly late trip to increase our chances of seeing the "late" Warblers, which at the end of the day, was our main reason for going.  The one we missed - Cape May - had already gone through and I think the week earlier would have given us more birds generally.  As I write this report, our plan to go to Arizona next April looks unlikely in view of world unrest so we will probably give the earlier week a try in 2002.

Driving was very easy, apart from Toronto itself, and there was a calm about the place that we didn't experience in America.  There were lots of highlights - Long Point apart- and it was great to see so many beautiful birds so well.  Not nearly as much neck- bending as in Texas!

There is no doubt that Raptors are few and far between at this time of year and waders nowhere near as common as we are used to seeing in Texas, which is all we can compare it to in North American birding terms.  My main "lowlight", however, is reserved for Kopegaron Woods, which are near Point Pelee.  Described in various literature as the "well kept secret " of where to find migrants, I swear that there was not one bird in those woods when we walked around.  I've heard of quiet but that was taking it too far! I checked a report I have for 18 May 1994 where the birders on that trip saw 11 species of warbler plus loads of other migrants in these small woods - another example of being in the right place at the right time!!

Report by Bob Biggs - 1 Thornton Close, Morpeth, Northumberland [01670 515491]  

SPECIES SEEN

COMMON LOON - Seen from Hastings Drive  18/5
PIED-BILLED GREBE - At least 10 at St.Clair 20/5.
DOUBLE - CRESTED CORMORANT - Seen regularly
MUTE SWAN - One seen on the Marshes near Hastings Drive 18/5
AMERICAN BITTERN - Seen by Steve at St.Clair  20/5
LEAST BITTERN - Seen in flight at St.Clair  20/5
GREAT BLUE HERON - Seen on the Marsh  18/5; St.Clair 20/5
GREAT EGRET - One in canal close to Point Pelee  22/5
CANADA GOOSE - Seen often
MALLARD - Seen occasionally
BLUE-WINGED TEAL - 1 at St.Clair 20/5 and 1 at Hillman Marsh 22/5.
REDHEAD - 1 at St.Clair 20/5.
RUDDY DUCK - 1 at St.Clair 20/5.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - Two seen on Lake near Morpeth  23/5
TURKEY VULTURE - First seen near Long Point, then occasionally throughout.
BALD EAGLE - A pair seen at nest site on Hwy 37 near to Hillman Marsh  20/5.One at Rondeau in flight 23/5.
NORTHERN HARRIER - One flew over us while watching Bald Eagles 20/5.
RED-TAILED HAWK - Only one definate sighting over main road on way back to Toronto 23/5.
AMERICAN KESTREL - One seen in flight near Rondeau  19/5.
PHEASANT - One seen near St.Clair  20/5.
MOORHEN - 3 at St.Clair 20/5.
AMERICAN COOT - 3 at St.Clair 20/5.
BLACK BELLIED PLOVER - Seen regularly in fields from 20/5 onwards,often in large numbers.
KILLDEER - Seen first at Hastings Drive 18/5 , then occasionally.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - Two at Hillman Marsh  20/5 were our only sightings
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - Seen at Trembley [4] and St.Clair  20/5.
RUDDY TURNSTONE - Seen at Trembley [10]  20/5 and in small numbers with Black Bellied Plover flocks.
RED KNOT - A flock of 30 flew over Point Pelee tip  21/5
LEAST SANDPIPIER - Seen at Hillman Marsh in small numbers on each visit.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - 1 at Hillman Marsh 22/5.
DUNLIN - 20plus at Hillman Marsh on each visit.
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER - At least 5 at Hillman Marsh  20/5, plus the odd single on further visits there.
RING-BILLED GULL - All over the place!
HERRING GULL - A few in with RB Gulls off Hastings Drive  18/5
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL  - One seen in field near HillmanMarsh  21/5.
BLACK TERN - 2  off Hastings  Drive 18/5; At least 10 at St.Clair 20/5
FORSTER'S TERN - At least 6 at St.Clair  20/5; 6 at Trembley20/5
MOURNING DOVE - Seen occasionally at inland sites
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO - 2 on Tildens Trail 22/5.
EASTERN SCREECH-OWL - One on Woodland Trail 22/5
WHIP-POOR-WILL - One sat on tree at Long Point Ringing area18/5
CHIMNEY SWIFT - Seen occasionally but best at Simcoe 17/5
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD - One on nest at Long  Point ringing area 18/5
BELTED KINGFISHER -One at St.Clair from Observation Tower 20/5
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER -Up to 5 different birds seen at Rondeau , either by Visitor Centre feeder or on South Trail, on both visits.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER- Seen in small numbers in different parts of Rondeau
DOWNY WOODPECKER - Seen at Tildens Trail  21/5 and on Tulip Trail at Rondeau  23/5.
HAIRY WOODPECKER - Seen at Long Point 18/5 and Rondeau  19/5
NORTHERN FLICKER - 3 on South Trail 19/5; One there 23/5
LEAST FLYCATCHER - Several at Long Point and Hastings Drive 18/5
EASTERN PHOEBE - Pair on Tulip Trail 19/5
EASTERN KINGBIRD - 6 on South Trail 19/5 and seen at Point Pelee on both visits.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER - Seen occasionally at Rondeau on both visits
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE - One seen near " Maintenance" area at Rondeau 23/5.
WILLOW FLYCATCHER - One on South Trail 19/5
HORNED LARK - Seen occasionally in fields but not as common as we were expecting.                    
TREE SWALLOW - Seen at Simcoe 17/5 and Long Point 18/5
PURPLE MARTIN - Only seen once at Hillman Marsh 20/5
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW - Seen at Simcoe 17/5 and Hillman Marsh 20/5.
SAND MARTIN - Hillman Marsh 20/5
BARN SWALLOW - Seen in a number of areas
CLIFF SWALLOW - One at Hillman Marsh 20/5
CEDAR WAXWING - Seen regularly in small numbers and massive number at Point Pelee 22/5
CAROLINA WREN - 2 on Woodland Trail 22/5
HOUSE WREN - At least one at Long Point 18/5 and 1 on Tulip Trail 19/5; 3 South Trail 19/5
GREY CATBIRD - 3 at Simcoe in Hotel grounds 18/5 ; seen at other sites including 10 + at Long Point18/5.
BROWN THRASHER - Seen briefly on De Laurier Trail 22/5; South Trail 23/5
EASTERN BLUEBIRD- Pair seen on Woodland Trail 21/5 and 4 in De Laurier Car Park 22/5.
VEERY - Seen by Steve at Long Point and probably one or two on Hastings Drive but never seen well enough to be certain.
GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH - One showed well on Woodland Trail 22/5
SWAINSON'S THRUSH - Seen occasionally at Rondeau on both visits; Point Pelee 21/5
WOOD THRUSH - One showed well on Spice Bush Trail 19/5
AMERICAN ROBIN - Everywhere - and I mean everywhere!
BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHER - South Trail, Rondeau 19/5 ; "Maintenance" 23/5
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET - One seen on Hastings Drive 18/5
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE - Seen at Simcoe in Hotel Grounds 17/5
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH - Seen briefly at Rondeau on both visits
SONG SPARROW- Seen at Simcoe, Long Point , Rondeau and near St.Clair
SWAMP SPARROW - 1 at St.Clair 20/5
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - 2 on Hastings Drive 18/5
SAVANNAH SPARROW - A few seen in fields en route to Rondeau 23/5
CHIPPING SPARROW - Seen and heard regularly
FIELD SPARROW- At least 2 seen and heard near Visitor Centre at Rondeau 19/5
EASTERN TOWHEE - One on Woodland Trail 22/5
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK- Seen at a few sites, including 3 on Spice Bush Trail 19/5
NORTHERN CARDINAL - Seen at Simcoe and Long Point. Probably overlooked.
INDIGO BUNTING - East Quarter Line Rd 18/5; 3 at Point Pelee 21/5;1 South Trail and Maintenance  area 23/5
SCARLET TANAGER - 2 Tulip Trail 19/5
BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER - Only seen at Long Point 18/5
TENNESSEE WARBLER - 3,all in nets,at Long Point 18/5 ; 1singing near Marsh Trail at Rondeau 23/5
NASHVILLE WARBLER - Only seen at Long Point 18/5
NORTHERN PARULA - Only seen and heard on Woodland Trail 21/5
YELLOW WARBLER - Probably saw between 100 to 150 individuals -  anywhere!
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER - Several at Hastings Drive 18/5; 1 at 1/4 Mile Rd 18/5;Visitor Centre, Rondeau 19/5 and Point Pelee on both visits
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER - Seen well at Long Point 18/5; 3 at Hastings Drive 18/5 and at least 1 at Point Pelee 22/5.
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - At least 4 at Long Point 18/5 and 1 at Tulip Trail 19/5 were our only sightings.
PRAIRIE WARBLER - East Quarter Line Rd is the place to go! From Long Point take Hwy 24 and drive North East for a few miles .Turn left at the East Quarter Line Rd crossroads. Drive for about a mile and stop at the first "sandy" road on your right . Listen for an ascending type of song and you might be in luck. It worked for us on 18/5!
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER - Only seen in singles at Long Point 18/5 and in two locations at Point Pelee 21/5
MAGNOLIA WARBLER - Seen regularly at all likely sites.
CANADA WARBLER - 3 on Hastings Drive were our first 18/5;Tulip Trail 19/5 and near Visitor Centre 19/5; 2 seen very well on Tildens Trail 21/5 and others noted within Point Pelee on the same day and the following day.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER - Only seen at Long Point 18/5
PALM WARBLER - The "mystery" bird was on a very wet Tildens Trail 22/5.
BLACKPOLL WARBLER -2 at Long Point 18/5 and one or two seen on both visits to Point Pelee.
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER - At least 5 at Long Point and Hastings Drive 18/5; 1 at Point Pelee 22/5 was our only other sighting.
AMERICAN REDSTART - Seen in singles at Long Point and Hastings Drive 18/5; seen and heard at Rondeau on both visits; seen on Tildens Trail and De Laurier 21/5.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER - Seen by Steve at nest-box site on Tulip Trail 19/5 [glad I've seen them in Texas!]
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT - Hastings Drive 18/5; 3 at South Trail 19/5 ; De Laurier Trail 21/5.
MOURNING WARBLER - 1 in the hand at Long Point 18/5 and 1 on Hastings Drive later.
CONNECTICUT WARBLER - 1 heard and glimpsed on Woodland Trail 21/5
 WILSON'S WARBLER - At least 2 on Hastings Drive 18/5 ; at least 3 at Point Pelee 21/5
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - 1 on De Laurier 21/5 and 1 on South Trail 23/5
WHITE-EYED VIREO - 1 seen near Visitor Centre at Rondeau 19/5
PHILADELPHIA VIREO - 3 at Long Point 18/5 and 3 at Point Pelee 21/5
RED-EYED VIREO - Seen on a number of occasions at Rondeau ,once at Point Pelee.
WARBLING VIREO - More common than Red-eyed Vireo , seen well at usual sites.
BLUE HEADED VIREO - 1 on Hastings Drive 18/5 was our only sighting.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE - Seen around Rondeau Visitor Centre on both visits
ORCHARD ORIOLE - Seen at different locations within Point Pelee on both visits.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD - Seen regularly at various sites.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK - 1 seen from car 18/5.
COMMON GRACKLE - Seen regularly at various sites.
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD - Seen regularly , particularly at Rondeau 19/5.
BOBOLINK - At least 6 in a field opposite " 2 Jays Brand "22/5.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD - 2 at St.Clair 20/5
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH - Several at Long Point 18/5.
HOUSE FINCH - 2 at Long Point 18/5 ; 2 at Point Pelee 21/5.
HOUSE SPARROW - Several at Simcoe in Hotel grounds 17/5
STARLING - Several near Toronto Airport 17/5
BLUE JAY - Simcoe Hotel Grounds 17/5 , then occasionally elsewhere.
AMERICAN CROW - Seen occasionally.

130 species seen.

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