On Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, an enthusiastic group of Birders enjoyed a Really Excellent Day of Birding at Rondeau Provincial Park with Stewart MacDonald. Rondeau is located on the North Shore of Lake Erie, directly on the converging Atlantic and Mississippi Migratory Flyways.
The Group was greeted by sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, and were rewarded with sightings of 75 Different Species on the day! Highlights were between 15 and 20 Warbler Species and a few surprises along the way. The most notable thing about the day was the QUANTITY of birds per species which we identified. There were many spots where multiple species were present.
The Group started the day at “Warbler Way” and were rewarded with sightings of Ovenbird, Cape May and Blackburnian Warblers. Many of the Warblers were vocalizing, which made identification of them even more rewarding.
Strolling down Harrison Road, regular sightings of Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles were noted. Yellow and Yellow-Rumped Warbler sightings were numerous on the day. The calls of Northern House Wren and Northern Waterthrush were regularly heard.
The Group traversed Bennett Road spotting a Solitary Sandpiper in the wet woods, along with Black-Throated Blue, Black-Throated Green, Black-and-White Warbler Species and Northern Parula.
Retracing our path, we encountered a cooperative Male Scarlet Tanager and then headed for lunch.
Some of our Group had to leave before lunch and after lunch, the Group reconvened at the Park’s Visitor’s Center. A short walk to a friendly birder’s cottage, yielded Brown Thrasher and Eastern Kingbird. amongst other species.
Walking the Tulip Trail, the sighting of a Black-Crowned Night Heron perched in a tree was a surprise sighting. A Yellow-Throated Vireo was singing and identified by the group.
The other “surprise” on the Tulip Trail was the sighting of a Worm-Eating Warbler, one of the hardest to find Warblers in Ontario! This bird is a known “skulker” and very difficult to see, but it presented the group with lovely views for a prolonged period of time.
To finish the day, the remaining group went back to Bennett Road and saw the Beautiful Prothonotary Warbler, an Endangered bird in Ontario!
All in all, a great day of Birding, coupled with the lovely weather, made for a Memorable day in Rondeau Park. Thanks to Terry and Dave for their photography and to the whole group for their enthusiasm!