2022 OFO Convention Trip: September 21-26

Day 5: Rondeau, Keith McLean & Blenheim Lagoons, September 25

The next morning, we checked out of our lodging and drove to Rondeau Park in a light rain. Barbara got some warblers in the parking area while waiting for everyone to join the group led by Tim Arthur. We drove to South Point and split into two groups again. Barbara, Hilda and Colin went with Tim, while Bill went with Colleen Riley and young Markus Legzdins. Birding was a bit slow, so Bill’s group turned a lot of logs looking for Fowler’s Toads and skinks, without success. Barbara’s group finished first and had some luck with Least Flycatchers and a Scarlet Tanager. At the parking lot, Barbara spotted a Brown Thrasher drinking at a puddle.

Tim’s group had already left for the Tulip Trail, so Colleen’s group decided to go to the Keith McLean Conservation Lands where a Nelson’s Sparrow had been reported. We dipped on the sparrow, but got a couple of Wilsons’ Snipes and other shorebirds. We got really muddy feet and had to scrape the sticky goo off with a stick. As we were leaving, we met Barb C again, who reported having an excellent day.

We thought some of our group would be at the Blenheim Lagoons, but nobody was there. We had trouble finding the right gate, but eventually got in. There were some shorebirds – both yellowlegs, Pectoral and Least Sandpipers. There were also several Savannah Sparrows.

Still, nobody else showed up, so we left and headed for Ben Thanh Thai and Vietnamese Restaurant in Burlington, Colin and Hilda’s favorite. After a delicious supper, we returned to Colin and Hilda’s condo for a much-needed rest.