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MAY MADNESS
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Not much happened on the weekend, but the weather did not help. Yet again, it was horrible. Last week the sun came out Monday morning and things warmed up. It was beautiful all week, but by late Friday, as usual, things went downhill. Of course, on Monday the sun came out again. If anyone has an explanation for this ridiculous and depressing weather pattern, please let me know!!
In the Rondeau area, a Franklin’s Gull appeared with Bonaparte’s Gulls near Erie Beach on Saturday. I managed to get a look at it mid afternoon. Only a few of this species will show up in southern Ontario each spring.
On Sunday, we managed to find a few new spring arrivals, including Blue-headed Vireo, Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler (see photo) and Louisiana Waterthrush. The waterthrush was the best bird. I did not even see one last year.
The Wilson’s Phalarope that showed up at Blenheim Sewage Lagoons was still present. It is now in breeding plumage. It arrived at such an early date, where was it to go anyway?
On Monday, lots of things started to show up at Point Pelee. It was the usual stuff, but of course the weekend was over!
Lots of spring wildflowers are out and the trees are leafing out (way too early!). Photo show Trout Lillies, a common woodland plant.
Next weekend, the madness of migrating birds and bird watching begins. Stay tuned.
