Susan's Birding and Nature Blog: White-winged Dove

Sunday, 5 May 2019

Rondeau Birding - May 4, 2019

Saturday, May 4, 2019, I went on my annual Rondeau Park trip to see the migrating birds. I will be going a couple more times. I have been going to Rondeau since the early 1980's. There has been a lot of changes through the years. I use to go the Point Pelee too in those days but I've always liked Rondeau better. At Point Pelee...every year it seems more and more people go there, to the point...way too many people for my liking. So I haven't been to Pelee for awhile. Rondeau had way less people. In those days, the parking lot was never full. Rondeau is closer to home also. It was enjoyable to walk South Point Trail right to the end and back (I was much younger then). There were always a lot of birds all over the place. I would see warblers in groups of five species at a time. A lot of thrushes singing which I love.

I started at the Visitor Centre and took some photos of the birds at the feeders. There wasn't a lot of variety of birds there yesterday though.

Baltimore Oriole

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

White-crowned Sparrow

I went for a walk around the Tulip Tree Trail. It was overcast and cool but I'm happy it didn't pour rain like last year. I saw a Gray Catbird, Hermit Thrushes, lots of White-throated Sparrows were coming through, two Wood Ducks, a yellow-rumped Warbler and on the way back, a Pileated Woodpecker.

After lunch drove up Lakeshore Rd. The beach access I usually go to was flooded so I will go next time. I was able to find the White-winged Dove...had a good look at it and got my best photo of it. I was really pleased to see it.

Palm Warbler

Bald Eagle

White-winged Dove

I didn't go all the way around Spicebush Trail today. Next went to the Marsh Trail. I couldn't believe the storm damage along the trail. It looks so different. I saw two Northern Parula along the shore feeding away.

The bay was so calm. There were two Horned Grebes and several Red-breasted Mergansers.

Then went to Warbler Way to see what was there. A lot of thrushes, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Gray Catbirds, and Carolina Wren.

Saw some wildflowers but not many out yet. I'm looking forward to going back to Rondeau again to find more different birds and wildlife.

Sunday, 14 May 2017

White-winged Dove!

I headed down to Rondeau Park for the day. It was sunny and warm high of 13. I started the day at the VC looking at the feeders to see what was there. There were Chipping Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Rose-breased Grosbeak, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Baltimore Oriole, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinches.

White-crowned Sparrow

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

At the side of the VC, I found this beautiful House Wren singing.

House Wren

Took at walk around the Tulip Tree Trail. I saw my favorite warbler the Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Also saw a Veery, Brown Thrasher, Yellow Warbler, and Gray Catbird. I missed the Prothonotary Warbler.

After lunch went to look for the White-winged Dove....went back and forth looking for the Dove between about 5 cottages. Could not find it.

Then went to the beach, it was very quiet....some barn swallows.

The end of Harrison Trail was the next stop. There still is some water on the trail entrance...got a soaker. It was nice to see the White-eyed Vireo.

Wild Columbine

Then back to find the White-winged Dove. A couple of staff were there looking for it and they found it! It was in a tree preening.

White-winged Dove

The white-winged Dove is a lifer for me. It's hard getting lifers anymore.

Eastern Kingbird

Also saw an Eastern Kingbird.

Then went to the Spicebush Trail...saw a Black-and-White Warbler, Black-throated Blue again, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, American Toad, Northern Leopard Frog and a Eastern Gartersnake.