Greetings Birders. Welcome to the first report for the Festival of Birds. Quite cool this morning at the Tip, with winds from the east from over the water. Despite the conditions a number of good bird species were noted. There are two sand spit Islands just offshore at the Tip which were active with birds. Two LITTLE GULLS were noted flying amongst the many BONAPARTES GULLS which were dipping in and out of the water breaking over the sand. On the first island out, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was noted and a few GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen on the far island. In the Tip area, on the west side, 2 SEDGE WRENS were seen and a MARSH WREN was noted. Near the northern end of the Tram Loop, birders found a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and WHITE-EYED VIREO. Also a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was seen in the Sparrow Field. Off of the West Beach Trail there are still big rafts of ducks including many GREATER SCAUP and SURF SCOTERS. At least one BLACK SCOTER was noted there. No report of yesterday's TUFTED DUCK off in that group yet. While some birders were scoping the ducks, a SHORT-EARED OWL flew by heading south. There were also reports of a WHITE-EYED VIREO along the West Beach Trail too. On Woodland Trail birders enjoyed about 3 male HOODED WARBLERS, near where the south end of Redbud Trail comes in. In the same area at Bridge A there was a male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Apparently just before the same bridge, there was a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. -- The Festival of Birds is brought to you by Parks Canada and the Friends of Point Pelee. The Festival of Birds runs from April 30 to May 23. For more information please visit Festival of Birds.ca