Spring Migration at Long Point, Rondeau and Pelee Island
May 1 - 21, 2023
Here in Ontario, there is no time of year that I enjoy more than the month of May. The reason behind this is simple: spring bird migration. Almost every bird species that migrates into Ontario is on the move during May, and a huge pulse of Neotropical migrant species arrive throughout the month. Generally speaking, the peak of migration in southern Ontario occurs during the first three weeks in May. I am excited to be returning to Long Point Provincial Park, Rondeau Provincial Park and Pelee Island to lead small group tours during this spectacular time of the year that always passes by far too quickly.
May 1 - 21, 2023
Here in Ontario, there is no time of year that I enjoy more than the month of May. The reason behind this is simple: spring bird migration. Almost every bird species that migrates into Ontario is on the move during May, and a huge pulse of Neotropical migrant species arrive throughout the month. Generally speaking, the peak of migration in southern Ontario occurs during the first three weeks in May. I am excited to be returning to Long Point Provincial Park, Rondeau Provincial Park and Pelee Island to lead small group tours during this spectacular time of the year that always passes by far too quickly.
Kentucky Warbler
While Point Pelee National Park receives most of the publicity, the truth is that the birding at two other sites on the north shore of Lake Erie (Long Point and Rondeau Provincial Parks) offer exceptional birding that rivals Point Pelee. The Festival of Birds at Point Pelee can be quite chaotic with thousands of birders visiting each day, while Long Point and Rondeau are much quieter as they receive just a fraction of the visitors.
Rondeau Provincial Park is home to some of the largest remaining areas of swamp forest in southern Ontario, an endangered ecosystem that is home to nesting Prothonotary Warblers. Rondeau has many kilometres of well-maintained trails that access quite a few different forest types. Due to its shape as a peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie, the songbird migration can be phenomenal, on par with Point Pelee. Rondeau does not have a Hillman Marsh but instead has the nearby Blenheim lagoons and Keith McLean Conservation Area, both excellent locations to search for shorebirds and waterbirds.
Long Point is located further east along the north shore of Lake Erie, a short drive (1.5 hours) from Hamilton. It, too features a peninsula that extends into Lake Erie, though only the base is accessible to the public. However, migration can be excellent in the provincial park, at the Old Cut bird-banding station, and elsewhere on the peninsula. Extensive marshlands are home to a wide variety of species, while shorebird habitat often pops up along the causeway. The variety of breeding birds in the concessions north of the Long Point peninsula is unrivalled elsewhere on the north shore of Lake Erie, and many of these species have southern affinities. Depending on the year, breeding species can include Prothonotary, Cerulean, Hooded and Blue-winged Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Ruffed Grouse, to name a few. Other worthy sites to look for migrants include the Port Rowan lagoons and the Turkey Point beach.
Rondeau Provincial Park is home to some of the largest remaining areas of swamp forest in southern Ontario, an endangered ecosystem that is home to nesting Prothonotary Warblers. Rondeau has many kilometres of well-maintained trails that access quite a few different forest types. Due to its shape as a peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie, the songbird migration can be phenomenal, on par with Point Pelee. Rondeau does not have a Hillman Marsh but instead has the nearby Blenheim lagoons and Keith McLean Conservation Area, both excellent locations to search for shorebirds and waterbirds.
Long Point is located further east along the north shore of Lake Erie, a short drive (1.5 hours) from Hamilton. It, too features a peninsula that extends into Lake Erie, though only the base is accessible to the public. However, migration can be excellent in the provincial park, at the Old Cut bird-banding station, and elsewhere on the peninsula. Extensive marshlands are home to a wide variety of species, while shorebird habitat often pops up along the causeway. The variety of breeding birds in the concessions north of the Long Point peninsula is unrivalled elsewhere on the north shore of Lake Erie, and many of these species have southern affinities. Depending on the year, breeding species can include Prothonotary, Cerulean, Hooded and Blue-winged Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Ruffed Grouse, to name a few. Other worthy sites to look for migrants include the Port Rowan lagoons and the Turkey Point beach.
Cerulean Warbler
Pelee Island, the "lesser-known Pelee", is my favourite spring migration location in southern Ontario. It receives many of the same birds as Point Pelee, but is a little trickier to get to since it is, after all, an island. However, there are regular ferries to and from Pelee Island that leave from the Leamington ferry terminal. Several excellent bed-and-breakfasts and guesthouses are found on the island (as well as one campground), and interesting natural areas abound. The island certainly has a much quieter feel to it. While Point Pelee will see several thousand birders during the peak weekends in May, Pelee Island will host only a dozen or two on these same days. In addition to the birds, Pelee Island is home to other species of interest that are found at few or no other sites in Canada. These include Fox Squirrel, Gray Fox, Blue Racer, Smallmouth Salamander and Lake Erie Watersnake.
Date |
Location |
Time |
Cost |
Saturday, May 6, 2023 |
Available for a private tour |
TBD |
TBD |
Sunday, May 7, 2023 |
Available for a private tour |
TBD |
TBD |
Monday, May 8, 2023 |
Available for a private tour |
TBD |
TBD |
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 |
Rondeau |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 |
Rondeau |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Thursday, May 11, 2023 |
Long Point |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Friday, May 12, 2023 |
Available for a private tour |
TBD |
TBD |
Saturday, May 13, 2023 |
Available for a private tour |
TBD |
TBD |
Sunday, May 14, 2023 |
Available for a private tour |
TBD |
TBD |
Monday, May 15, 2023 |
Available for a private tour |
TBD |
TBD |
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 |
Long Point |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 |
Long Point |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Friday, May 19, 2023 |
Pelee Island |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Saturday, May 20, 2023 |
Pelee Island |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Sunday, May 21, 2023 |
Pelee Island |
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
$120 |
Itinerary: The exact itinerary for each day will vary, usually because of the weather conditions (and "bird forecast"). Full-day tours at Rondeau will include ample time within the provincial park, as well as visits to the Blenheim lagoons, Keith McLean Conservation Area, and/or the Erieau harbour area. Tours at Long Point will include visits to Long Point Provincial Park, the Old Cut bird-banding station, the causeway, and possibly other sites including Backus Woods and Turkey Point. Tours on Pelee Island will usually feature visits to Fish Point Nature Reserve, Lighthouse Point, Stone Road Alvar and several wetlands. One advantage of Pelee Island is that we can position ourselves on the island based on the wind direction. For instance, on days with strong west winds, the lee east side of the island is often calm and birdier.
I will email details regarding the day to all guests who have signed up, sometime in advance of the tour.
I will email details regarding the day to all guests who have signed up, sometime in advance of the tour.
Scarlet Tanager
What to bring: Rain gear, optics, camera, snacks, water, lunch. A spotting scope is beneficial if you own one, but I will have mine with us as well. Regarding clothing: the weather at this time of year can be quite variable, but having rain gear is very important. Early mornings can be quite cool, so warm weather clothing may be required. Comfortable walking shoes are typically sufficient, though it is recommended that you have rubber boots or similar footwear in your vehicle as flooding may occur on some trails. I will let you know in advance if we will be requiring rubber boots at any point.
Washrooms/lunch: I will plan for a bathroom break every 120 minutes or so. Please pack a lunch as well, since dining options are scarce in these locations.
Meet up time and location:
All of the tours between May 1 and 21, 2023 will begin at 7:00 AM.
At Rondeau National Park, we will meet in the parking lot on the west side of the Visitor's Centre.
The coordinates for this meet-up spot are: 42.280917, -81.843624
At Long Point Provincial Park, we will meet at the parking lot for the Old Cut bird-banding station.
The coordinates for this meet-up spot are: 42.58345, -80.39868
At Pelee Island, we will meet at the entrance to Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve.
The coordinates for this meet-up spot are: 41.734591, -82.675326
Washrooms/lunch: I will plan for a bathroom break every 120 minutes or so. Please pack a lunch as well, since dining options are scarce in these locations.
Meet up time and location:
All of the tours between May 1 and 21, 2023 will begin at 7:00 AM.
At Rondeau National Park, we will meet in the parking lot on the west side of the Visitor's Centre.
The coordinates for this meet-up spot are: 42.280917, -81.843624
At Long Point Provincial Park, we will meet at the parking lot for the Old Cut bird-banding station.
The coordinates for this meet-up spot are: 42.58345, -80.39868
At Pelee Island, we will meet at the entrance to Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve.
The coordinates for this meet-up spot are: 41.734591, -82.675326
Willets
Park passes: Park passes are required to enter Rondeau Provincial Park and Long Point Provincial Park. These can be purchased at the park gates upon arrival. Note that it is also possible to buy annual passes which can be ordered ahead of time by phone.
Vehicles:
We will travel in our own vehicles between sites. Carpooling is encouraged if it can be arranged.
eBird/trip checklists: I will compile eBird checklists during each location that we visit during the day. I will share these checklists with any of the participants, if they are eBird users, following the end of the tour.
If interested, please send me an email: [email protected]
Vehicles:
We will travel in our own vehicles between sites. Carpooling is encouraged if it can be arranged.
eBird/trip checklists: I will compile eBird checklists during each location that we visit during the day. I will share these checklists with any of the participants, if they are eBird users, following the end of the tour.
If interested, please send me an email: [email protected]