May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year

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Chestnut-sided Warblers are one of the many birds that return to Southwestern Ontario each May.

Each year, waves of birds pass through Southwestern Ontario in early May. Like most other birders, this is my favourite time of year, and I book vacation accordingly during the first two weeks of the month. I try to get out birding every day visiting many of my favorite areas. Some of these locations are a 2-hour drive away while others are mere minutes from home. As is the case every year, May has been quite productive thus far with a variety of species observed and photographed. 

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This Spotted Sandpiper was the only shorebird found at the tip of Point Pelee.

Last Monday, I made the drive west to Point Pelee National Park. Arriving at the park shortly after 9 a.m. I found a parking spot at the visitor centre and from there it was a short shuttle ride to the tip to begin my day of birding.  At the tip, Baltimore Orioles were seen reverse migrating as they headed south out over Lake Erie. Horned Grebes were observed to the west while a mix of warblers foraged high in the treetops on the east side as the morning sun had the insects and thus the birds quite active. 

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The Woodland Nature Trail at Point Pelee National Park revealed great views of this Blue-winged Warbler.

Once finished at the tip, I was back on the shuttle heading north to complete a loop of the Woodland Nature Trail. Parts of this trail were quite wet and a small section was underwater. Despite this, I was able to cover most of the trail and was treated to some great views with the highlight being a Blue-winged Warbler feeding low to the ground. 

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With the help of other birders, I was able to locate this red morph Eastern Screech-Owl camouflaged among the leaves and branches.

Having completed the Woodland Nature Trail, I went back to the car to re-hydrate and have a quick sandwich before heading to the Tilden Woods Trail. While having my lunch, I overheard a woman talking about a red morph Eastern Screech-Owl on Tilden. Locating these small owls in a forest is like finding a needle in a haystack, but I figured there would be several people gathered in the vicinity of this bird. Sure enough, shortly into the trail was a congregation of owl seekers. Thanks to other birders describing where to look among the maze of branches, I was able to locate the owl. After adjusting my camera settings I managed to obtain focus through the leaves and limbs and capture several images. As an added bonus, this owl had its eyes open and was staring at the gaggle of birders admiring its beauty. 

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The habitat along the West Beach Trail is perfect for attracting Indigo Buntings.

To wrap up the day I walked the trail along West Beach. Warblers, thrushes, and a kingbird were noted, but I was most excited about the stunning male Indigo Bunting perched beautifully in the sun. In total, I observed 61 species under sunny skies. A great day birding for sure and quite typical for the first week of May at Pelee. 

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Palm Warblers are regularly found foraging on the forest floor.

Tuesday morning I awoke to rain. This didn’t dampen my spirits as I had an appointment with my physiotherapist scheduled and was hoping to head out birding in the afternoon after the showers quit. Birding after a rain is always productive especially in May when migrating songbirds actively feed after seeking shelter from the precipitation. By late afternoon the sun was out, so I headed to the Westminster Ponds ESA. For those of you who attended my How To Photograph Birds presentation last month I focussed my efforts in the area I shared with you. As expected, the birds were positioned out of the strong west wind actively feeding on insects that had emerged with the warming sun. 

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Blue-headed Vireo photographed at the Westminster Ponds ESA.

In total 50 species were seen in only a few hours including 8 different warblers. Palm Warblers were the most abundant with Yellow-rumped a close second. Nashville, Yellow, Black-and-White, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, and American Redstart were the other warblers present. Happy with my observations, I returned to this same area Wednesday morning and was treated to much of the same with the addition of Black-throated Green Warblers.

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Black-throated Blue Warblers were observed at all of the areas I birded this past week.

After spending the morning birding, I headed home to prepare for my presentation that evening for the Woodstock Camera Club. What a fun night it was talking about bird photography with so many great people who share the same passion. The comradery of the group was evident as there were plenty of jokes and laughter which only added to the enjoyment of the evening. Thanks again to Kim and Linda for inviting me to speak. 

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Blackburian Warblers were one of the most prevalent birds on my visit to Rondeau Provincial Park.

My best birding of the week was Friday at Rondeau Provincial Park where I observed 79 species. Blackburnian and Cape May Warblers were seen throughout the park in large numbers and were two of the more prevalent birds. Eastern Towhee, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, and Northern Parula were also observed. With the strong west wind off Rondeau Bay, I concentrated my birding in the centre and east side of the park. The most productive areas were Warbler’s Way (formerly known as the Maintenance Loop), Harrison Trail, and Tulip Tree Trail. 

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The vibrant red plumage of the male Scarlet Tanager is something I look forward to seeing each May.

Scarlet Tanagers were observed in good numbers at Rondeau. These vibrant red birds are simply stunning and always a treat to see. The strong winds and lack of leaf cover in the forest canopy kept most of the birds low to the ground making for optimal views and photos. It was a cool, cloudy day for the most part but when the sun did peek out and the temperature rose a few degrees, the birds became even more active. 

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Northern Parula photographed at Rondeau Provincial Park.

With the amount of rain we received this past week, all of the areas I birded were wet and muddy. I recommend wearing rubber boots if you plan on visiting any of the aforementioned locations. I’ve never considered rubber boots to be the most comfortable footwear, but knowing the amount of rain forecast and expecting messy conditions, I went out and bought a new pair. Fully expecting sore feet, sore legs, and a sore back I was surprised at how comfortable these boots are. Purchased on sale for $30 at my local TSC Store, I am very happy with these Oxgear boots. If you are looking for a pair of rubber boots, these are definitely worth checking out. 

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Large numbers of White-crowned Sparrows were observed this past week.

Along with plenty of warblers, large quantities of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows were observed in all areas I visited this past week. We can expect another big wave of birds in the coming weeks, so if you haven’t had an opportunity to get out birding there is still lots of time. In town, the leaves are emerging fast which makes locating and photographing birds a challenge; however, closer to Lake Erie where temperatures are a few degrees cooler, the leaves are significantly behind offering better views and photo opportunities. 

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Blue-winged Warbler

With another week of vacation to go, I am looking forward to more birding. Given the day I had at Rondeau, I plan on getting down there again this week but will also do more birding here in London as well. The warmer temperatures predicted mid-week will make for comfortable conditions and active birds. An abundance of birds in the area and more on the way mean it’s the perfect time to get out birding. If you have some time this week, head out to your favourite spot and reap the benefits of May birding. 

Good birding,
Paul

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Rondeau Provincial Park Provides Excellent Birding And Relief From The Humidity

 

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This Red-headed Woodpecker was one of several species observed while birding at Rondeau Provincial Park.

The summer of 2018 has certainly been a hot and humid one. With more of the same in the forecast, I was wanting to do some birding while escaping the humidity. Knowing that the humidity would not be quite as high closer to the Great Lakes and with a predicted southwest wind off Lake Erie, I decided to make the drive to Rondeau Provincial Park

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On this day a few shorebirds were observed along the beach including a Ruddy Turnstone.

Arriving at the park just after 8 a.m. it was already quite warm; however, significantly less humid than when I left London. The breeze was not as cool as expected, but conditions were certainly more comfortable than if I stayed closer to home and birded within the city. 

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Red-eyed Vireos were abundant throughout the park.

With fall migration in full swing, I was optimistic there would be a nice mix of birds throughout the park. Beginning at the maintenance loop, a variety of warblers were seen flitting high in the canopy. Magnolia and Yellow-rumped were the most prevalent. A single Ovenbird was observed near the start of the trail and a Carolina Wren could be heard deeper in the forest. By far the most abundant songbird on this day was the Red-eyed Vireo.  

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Heavy shadows made photographing this Red-headed Woodpecker and other bird species a challenge.

One of the biggest challenges of trying to photograph songbirds in a forest at this time of year are the light conditions. Even when the birds are in clear view, leaves and branches regularly cast large shadows resulting in less appealing images. I never let this bother me as I am a birder first and a photographer second, so observing birds through my binoculars is rewarding enough and any images captured are a bonus. 

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I was happy to locate several Sanderling, my favourite shorebird while hiking along the beach.

After wrapping up at the maintenance loop, I jumped back in my car and drove to the South Point Trail. With several access points to the large beach, it was my hope that I may locate my favourite shorebird the Sanderling. Sure enough, at the end of the trail where the forest gave way to the beach, a large group of Sanderling was seen.

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A flock of Sanderling and one Ruddy Turnstone were observed along the beach.

Following the group of Sanderling down the beach was a lone Ruddy Turnstone. As I stood motionless in the sand these birds passed by within about ten yards. As I was shooting into the sun I increased my exposure to avoid silhouettes. Happy with my observations and images, I decided to make my way back down the trail towards my car. 

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Eastern Kingbird

As I made my way north along the trail, several species were seen feeding on the berries of a large tree overhanging the path.  Enjoying the bounty of fruit were Red-eyed Vireos, Eastern Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, and American Robins. As I photographed the vireos a Red-headed Woodpecker landed in the same tree. After clinging to the trunk for a few seconds it too began feeding on the red berries. Just behind the tree, two juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers came into view.

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Monarch Butterfly resting on the leaf of a Tulip Tree.

With Monarch migration also underway, several of these beautiful butterflies were seen heading south across the dunes. Other non-bird observations from the day were the hundreds of Northern Leopard Frogs crossing the various paths. 

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Northern Leopard Frog

All in all, it was a pretty productive day birding with a total of 38 species observed. I likely could have added a few more birds to the day’s count had I walked a portion of the Marsh Trail. This habitat often yields several species not found in other sections of the park.  

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Sanderling foraging at the water’s edge at the end of the South Point Trail.

September is a great month to get out birding as fall migration continues. While some species will see their numbers decrease over the course of the month, others will increase. For example, raptor migration peaks in our area mid-month. Look for tens of thousands of these birds to make their way across Southwestern Ontario in the coming weeks. If you are searching for a great place to partake in some late summer/early fall birding, consider giving Rondeau Provincial Park a try.  

Good birding,
Paul

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Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight

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This male Prothonotary Warbler came within 10 feet of where I was standing on the Tulip Tree Trail at Rondeau Provincial Park.

With spring migration in full swing here in Southwestern Ontario, I decided to take two weeks vacation in an effort to get in as much birding possible while bird numbers increase across the region. Having completed a few day trips as well as several visits to some of my favourite hotspots within the city, I birded every day this week and was quite happy with the results. 

Among the planned day trips was a visit to Rondeau Provincial Park on the north shore of Lake Erie, a popular May destination for many birders and host of the annual Festival of Flight. Friday’s forecast did not include favourable birding conditions with cooler temperatures and late afternoon showers predicted. However, with the park located just over an hour from my home in London, I thought I could enjoy several hours of birding before the rain moved in. 

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Male Prothonotary Warbler singing from a fallen log.

Leaving London under mostly clear skies just before 7 a.m. the weather was looking pretty good. Unfortunately, as I headed west down the 401, I could see a large cloud bank on the horizon. According to the hourly forecast, it was not supposed to cloud up until 3 p.m. with rain starting at 4 p.m. Unfortunately, after arriving at Rondeau Provincial Park shortly after 8 a.m. it was already cloudy. Once again, Environment Canada’s forecast was about as useless as (insert your favourite simile here); however, I wasn’t going to let this put a damper on my day.

My target species for the day was the Prothonotary Warbler. I had tried for this bird earlier in the week at Point Pelee National Park but failed to locate one despite searching areas where they had been reported previously that day. With the Canadian population down to only 11 pairs, Rondeau Provincial Park and Point Pelee National Park are two locations where this endangered species is observed annually. 

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With only 11 pairs in all of Canada, I considered myself incredibly fortunate to observe both a male and female Prothonotary Warbler on my visit to Rondeau Provincial Park.

Prothonotary Warblers had been reported from the Tulip Tree Trail earlier during the 2018 Festival of Flight. With the weather deteriorating quicker than expected, I made my way to the visitor’s centre to park and access the aforementioned trail.

Exiting my vehicle, I was happy I bought my winter jacket with me as the wind off Lake Erie was quite cool and the car’s thermometer read only 6 degrees Celsius. After grabbing my camera and binoculars, I made my way down the marked path in hopes of finding a Prothonotary Warbler. At 1.4 km in length, the Tulip Tree Trail consists of many boardwalks meandering through a mix of forest and swamp, perfect habitat for the Prothonotary Warbler. 

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Observing a pair of Prothonotary Warblers during the 2018 Festival of Flight has been one of the many highlights of spring migration so far.

Making my way along the trail, several warblers were present including Yellow, Black-throated Green, and Black-throated Blue. Swainson’s Thrushes could be seen scouring the forest floor for a meal while Baltimore Orioles called and moved about the understory. As I approached one of the boardwalks, a male Prothonotary Warbler appeared to my right as it foraged along a fallen log. Too far for photos, I was happy to observe the bird through my binoculars. While the Prothonotary Warbler is not a lifer for me, my only previous observation was a first-year female, so not nearly as vibrant as this male in breeding plumage. After achieving pleasing views, the bird flew off deeper into the swamp. 

Scanning the swamp with my binoculars, I was unable to relocate the bird. After searching for about 20 minutes, the bird reappeared in a pile of downed limbs only about 15 feet from the boardwalk. With the heavy cloud cover and low light conditions in the swamp, I needed to bump up my ISO in order to achieve a fast enough shutter speed to capture this rare warbler as it hopped along the fallen logs. Due to my excitement instead of hitting the ISO button on my camera, I hit the button that controls my focus points and accidentally selected all of them. Before I could regroup the bird once again disappeared deep into the swamp. As a result, the fallen limbs and various adjacent mosses in my images were very sharp, but the Prothonotary Warbler, my target species, was out of focus.

To be honest, hitting the wrong button or turning a dial the wrong way happens to me more than I care to admit, but is a fact of photography. My excitement quite often gets the better of me resulting in missed opportunities, but this is something I don’t let bother me. The observation itself is what I take away from all of my birding adventures with capturing an image simply a bonus.

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Light conditions required a high ISO to achieve a shutter speed fast enough to capture these endangered warblers as they moved throughout the swamp.

After getting my camera settings back to where I wanted them, (if you are curious this was aperture priority mode f/6.3, ISO 1250, and -2/3 exposure compensation given the dark backdrop of the swamp resulting in a shutter speed of anywhere from 1/500 to 1/1250), I decided to wait and see if the Prothonotary Warbler returned. Twenty minutes passed and once again the male Prothonotary Warbler appeared on the same fallen log where it was first observed. Just as it did previously, the bird flitted and hopped from log to log through the swamp in the direction where I was standing.

Ready this time with optimal camera settings, I captured several images as this beautiful male Prothonotary Warbler came within 10 feet of the boardwalk. Fortunately, I was able to shoot under the railing achieving unobstructed views. Several hundred images later, the bird once again disappeared deep in the swamp. 

Having had 2 encounters with this bird following the same course, I thought it would be wise to wait and see if this male Prothonotary Warbler would once again repeat this pattern. Sure enough, after about 20 to 30 minutes, the bird once again emerged from the tangle of fallen logs. This encounter was different; however; as this time there was also a female Prothonotary Warbler present. 

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Female Prothonotary Warblers have a duller appearance than males. Look for the more olive green crown and nape with similar grey-blue wings to help identify this species from other warblers. 

I watched intently while snapping several photos as the two Prothonotary Warblers hopped and flitted from log to log foraging on whatever they could find under these cold conditions. Knowing that I was observing two of only twenty-two Prothonotary Warblers in the entire county was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. If their numbers continue to dwindle, this may be my last encounter with this incredibly stunning bird. Hopefully, with habitat protection and continued conservation efforts, this won’t be the case and these remarkable warblers will be enjoyed for years to come. 

Another observation I made while enjoying this pair of Prothonotary Warblers was many birders missed these colourful warblers by moving too fast down the boardwalk. Perhaps the cold weather and fact that it was starting to rain had birders hurrying back to the visitor’s centre to warm up. It seemed that if the Prothonotary Warblers were not in plain view most birders simply kept moving while those who exercised patience were rewarded with remarkable views. 

If you are heading down to the Festival of Flight during the remaining 10 days, be patient and willing to wait for the Prothonotary Warblers to appear if you are hoping to observe this species. This approach worked wonders for me resulting in excellent views on a day where I would have been much warmer if I kept moving. 

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The vibrant yellow head and blue-grey wings make the male Prothonotary Warbler unmistakable.

If the Prothonotary Warbler is still missing from your life list, or you simply want to view this gorgeous endangered species, then plan a trip to Rondeau Provincial Park and check out the Tulip Tree Trail. With a little patience, great views just might present themselves proving that good things come to those who wait.

Good birding,
Paul

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