Rondeau – May 7, 2026

It has been a cold spring in southern Ontario. Temperatures have risen, but very slowly. Nevertheless, the canopy in London has become greener.

Here is our view on May 4 and May 13.

Spring Migration

During the spring migration, songbirds arrive on the shores of Lake Erie (and elsewhere!) to feed and recharge for their continued journey north. Over the past week, we spent five days near the lake, close to Rondeau Provincial Park . We stayed outside the small town of Blenheim with easy access to the park, the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons and the Erieau Marsh Trail where we might see migrating birds.

We were fortunate to have mostly sunny days while we were away. The nights were cold and daytime temperatures were cool, comfortably below 20 degrees Celcius.

Rondeau Provincial Park

Rondeau Provincial Park is located on a peninsula that extends into Lake Erie and forms a protected bay. The park is comprised of several provincially rare habitats that include old growth Carolinian forest, Oak savannah, sand dunes and coastal wetland. These habitats are home to numerous species at risk.

This year, the migration of songbirds, especially wood warblers, has been slow due to the cold temperatures and weather conditions that have reduced the number of insects available for arriving birds. We didn’t expect many warblers, but knew there would be much to see!

Tulip Tree Trail – May 7th

There were many Baltimore Orioles to be seen and heard along the trail. This is a particularly handsome one!

There were Chipping Sparrows singing their prolonged trill and foraging on the ground. American Robins were already nesting and feeding young.

House Wrens were also vocal and looking for nest sites.

The Tulip Tree Trail travels through mature Carolinian forest. Many boardwalks traverse the swamp forest.

Prothonotary Warblers are an endangered species in Canada. They winter in coastal regions in South and Central America and southern Texas and Louisiana. They breed throughout the eastern United States. In Canada, they are found only along the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, nesting in the cavities of trees in standing water. The Canadian population is extremely small, consisting of as few as 30 to 40 individuals. More that half of the population is found in Rondeau Provincial Park. Here, they take advantage of nest boxes provided for their use. Some nest boxes are close enough to the trail that, with luck, one might encounter one of these precious birds.

On May 7th, we were in luck! We spent almost five minutes watching this brilliant yellow bird hop and dabble in the water. It’s wet head gave it a punk appearance.