 14 May 2005Rondeau, the most attractive of the Lake Erie migrant traps, preserves Carolinian forest, rich in basswood and maples. The forest floor is carpeted with violets, trilliums, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit, which reminds me of the Smoky Mountains. Unlike the Smokies, Rondeau is flat. Its many pools and sloughs are good habitat for Common Grackles and Prothonotary Warblers, the latter eagerly sought by Canadian birders. The sloughs are fairly open, making it easier to photograph more warblers, including the Black-throated Green Warbler and another favorite, the Northern Parula. |
 Warblers originated in the American tropics.
Almost 50 of the 114 total species in their family, Parulidae, evolved to migrate
into the insect-rich forests of North America during the breeding season. Their
colors and songs seem to be variations on a theme. Most have a dark and white
pattern, with bold colors such as orange or yellow thrown in. Warbler songs are
usually a short series of warbles and trills, not very musical, and maddeningly
similar when you try to learn them. If you really want to impress the other birders,
learn to identify warblers by their songs. |
 17 May 2005The two previous days were cold and windy, miserable for birds and birders alike. Today, my last at Rondeau, dawned sunny, and the temperature soared to 59°F, which could be a heat wave for this time of year in Ontario. At any rate, it certainly enlivened the warblers. Although they apparently cross Lake Erie at night, early morning is still poor for birding, much better in late afternoon. One theory is that warblers become more active as the day warms and insect activity increases . My first good bird today was Blackburnian Warbler, whose brilliant orange throat always elicts wows from birders. It spent quite some time working the high limbs of a maple, then fluttered down, almost like a falling leaf, onto an open branch. |
 The last warbler of the trip is one that, like
me, came from far away. The Blackpoll Warbler winters in South America, to northern
Brazil and Ecuador. When Blackpolls migrate north, many won't stop until they reach
Alaska or Labrador. Of all warblers, it travels the farthest to breed. It is a
thoroughly charming little bird, active and inquisitive. Travel Diary |