Good morning, Bright sunshine, cool temperatures and northwest winds continue to keep bird numbers down. Nevertheless, most species are present and can be found with some effort before the end of the day. Wonderful views can be had along the east beach, especially near the tip. Birds such as AMERICAN REDSTART, PALM WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, CANADA WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER, ORCHARD ORIOLE all bathed in the early morning sunshine, picking at insects near the ground. Needless to say the photographers are taking advantage of these opportunities. Also present at or near the tip were BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, SEDGE WREN, regular visits by RED-HEADED and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, as well as thousands of terns (COMMON, FORESTER'S and a few BLACK TERNS) on the sand spit. One estimate put the number of COMMON TERNS at 6000! When the terns took up periodically, they would twist and turn in shifting unison, similar to a flock of sandpipers getting ready to land. On the ground they blanketed the beach white. Quite a sight indeed! Similar to the previous two days, OVENBIRDS and all species of THRUSHES remain common throughout. Also remarkably common are WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. Lesser numbers of LINCOLN'S SPARROWS can also be seen flitting through the underbrush. In fact, listening closely, their rollicking warble has also been part of the daily chorous these past several days. In wetter areas, the song of the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH is a regular fixture. One regular visitor with a keen ear counted over 30 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES this morning. At the Visitor Centre, a very drab 1st year female PINE WARBLER tested the identification skills of those frequenting the coffee stand. Due to the fact it showed almost no yellow on the breast whatsoever, and it was working the needles of an eastern White Pine, one person suggested this bird would be more appropriately called a 'White' Pine Warbler. :) In terms of rarities, both the PAINTED BUNTING and TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE have been reported again this morning from their respective haunts. The PAINTED BUNTING was reported from the woods between the parking lot and the bike trail at Sleepy Hollow, whereas the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE is regular along the seasonal birding trail slightly north of where it crosses the path from old Camp Henry. Also opposite Sleepy Hollow this morning was a male CERULEAN WARBLER. The HARRIS'S SPARROW appears to have been last reported on May 12. Although difficult to know, perhaps this bird is the same bird reported from Long Point on May 14? The FISH CROW was not refound yesterday. Out in the Onion Fields north of the Park, the flooded fields are proving to be the spot for migrating shorebirds. A different selection appear almost daily. Both yesterday and today, a breeding plumaged HUNSONIAN GODWIT was observed along the eastern end of Concession D. We have also heard rumors of a STILT SANDPIPER there on the 14th. More regular visitants include SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, DUNLIN, YELLOWLEGS, RUDDY TURNSTONE. This observer even saw several SOLITARY SANDPIPERS feeding on the back lawns of one homeowner! With light northeast winds our eyes will also be looking up hoping for a flight of hawks into the Park. We'll keep you informed if anything more interesting soars past! Good birding, Karl Konze, Pete Read and Alan Wormington Staff, The Friends of Point Pelee ***************************************************************** POINT PELEE "FESTIVAL OF BIRDS": April 27 - May 27 COMPLETE SCHEDULE: http://www.wincom.net/~fopp/bird_sch.htm E-mail: fopp@wincom.net -- Guided Bird Hikes with Friends of Point Pelee staff (4 daily) & Quest Nature Tours (weekends only) -- Hot Spot County Bus Tours with leaders from Quest Nature Tours (May 4, 5, 11, 12) -- Workshops in the Visitor Centre (daily at 1:00 p.m.) -- Bushnell Sports Optics Clinic (May 4, 5, 11, 12) -- "Keep the Songs Alive" Sweepstakes (3 Grand Prize packages totaling more than $20,000) ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. Lea Martell <friendsofpp@juno.com>