This morning started sunny and cool with NW winds of 20 km / hour. Yesterday afternoon there were 14 Whimbrel fly by the Marsh Boardwalk Tower. Also yesterday afternoon a Stilt Sandpiper was seen in the Hillman Shorebird cell . Later in the evening there were several Whimbrel in the same cell and on Mersea Road 1 there was an American Avocet splitting time between a wet field and the South part of Hillman Marsh. This morning birders on the boardwalk, just 50 metres south of the Tip washrooms, were treated to great looks of a singing Connecticut Warbler. Photographers were also smiling. At the Tip there was a single Red Knot in breeding plumage along with Ruddy Turnstones and Dunlins. There was also an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. Two Clay-coloured Sparrows, often seen together, were located on the Tip Trails. Early estimates put the Warbler species count at 15+ on the Tip Trails and on the East Side of the Tip. These warblers included Blackburnian, Tennessee, Black-throated Blue, and many Magnolia. Gray-cheeked Thrush were seen in the Tip Area and also on the East side of the Visitor Centre Parking Lot. There is no information from other areas in the Park as birders are taking advantage of the experience in the Tip Area. This is our last posting for the 2006 Festival of Birds. However, for anyone who has not yet visited the Park, there is excellent bird watching still to be had. Finally, we want to THANK all who have supported the efforts of the Friends of Point Pelee during this year's Festival of Birds. Good Birding Friends of Point Pelee John Haselmayer, Karl Konze, Ross Mackintosh, Dave Martin, Pete Read, and Marianne Reid **************************************************************************** Point Pelee National Park of Canada and the Friends of Point Pelee bring you the Festival of Birds 2006 from April 29 - May 22. The Friends of Point Pelee offer daily birding hikes, including evening hikes from Wednesday to Sunday, May 6 - 22. Visit www.pc.gc.ca/pelee or email fopp@mnsi.net for more information. ***************************************************************************** Janice Sarkis General Manager, Friends of Point Pelee Phone (519) 326-6173 Fax (519) 326-7925 www.friendsofpointpelee.net fopp@mnsi.net