Point Pelee Trip Report (May 10 – 21, 2025)

Day 1 – May 10th

We met with the group and went over the plan for the trip, we quickly got acquainted over dinner while enjoying a meal at the hotel.

Our Group 2025

Day 2 – May 11th

Following a buffet-style breakfast at the hotel, we loaded our luggage and began the day at Colonel Sam Smith Park.

Upon arrival, we were immediately welcomed by a rich chorus of songbirds—Baltimore Oriole, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, and Warbling Vireo were all heard singing. An active colony of Common Terns added to the excitement.

As we made our way along the trails toward the harbour, we encountered numerous Tree Swallows, with Purple Martins and Northern Rough-winged Swallows mixed in. At the ponds, we observed a hunting Belted Kingfisher and a nesting pair of Mute Swans.

The harbour proved exceptionally productive, with calling, nesting, and feeding Red-necked Grebes among the sailboats. Just beyond the harbour wall, we spotted a single Western Grebe, as well as Long-tailed Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, Redhead, and Bufflehead. A Bonaparte’s Gull made a brief appearance among the many Ring-billed Gulls.

Red-necked Grebe © Mitch Doucet

As we returned to the vehicles, we got a thrilling preview of the warbler diversity to come at Point Pelee. Highlights included Black-throated Blue, Cape May, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Tennessee, Nashville, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, along with Northern Parula, American Redstart, and Wood Thrush.

We stopped for a fantastic lunch before continuing our journey toward Leamington. En route, we made a quick stop in London, where we picked up our first Carolina Wren, along with Green Heron, Northern Harrier, and Cooper’s Hawk.

Day 3 – May 12th

We had an early start to beat the crowds at Point Pelee and catch the birds at first light. After a quick breakfast, we made our way to the Tip, where we were greeted by Bonaparte’s Gulls, Red-breasted Mergansers, Ruddy Turnstones, and a lone Dunlin.

Dunlin © Josh Dewitt

Heading back toward the Visitor Centre, we encountered Yellow Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, American Redstarts, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Wood Thrushes, and a pair of Scarlet Tanagers.

After a snack and coffee break, we tracked down a flock of Black-throated Green Warblers and heard a Prairie Warbler. A major highlight was a surprise sighting of a Mississippi Kite. We gathered for a picnic lunch before heading to another area of the park.

At the dunes, we found an Eastern Screech-Owl at its daytime roost. Along the Cactus Trail, we added Wild Turkeys, Swainson’s Thrush, Magnolia Warblers, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Eastern Screech-Owl © Josh Dewitt

Day 4 – May 13th

After a later breakfast, we set out for Hillman Marsh. A walk along the trails yielded Eastern Bluebird, Black Tern, Trumpeter Swan, Blue-winged Teal, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Lesser Yellowlegs.

Eastern Bluebird © Mitch Doucet

As rain moved in, we returned to Point Pelee and explored the Marsh Boardwalk, where we had excellent views of nesting Mute Swans, a Green Heron, roosting Turkey Vultures, Swamp Sparrows, and a surprise flyby from an Eastern Meadowlark.

We had lunch at Ship Ahoy, where a Carolina Wren serenaded us, joined by American Goldfinches and Purple Martins. Later, at the Tip, we spotted many of the same species from previous visits, plus Great Black-backed Gulls, a Least Sandpiper, and an Indigo Bunting. On the way back, we picked up White-eyed Vireo and Blue-winged Warbler.

Day 5 – May 14th

We started later and headed down the Tilden Woods Trail under light drizzle, which soon cleared. Bird activity exploded around us—our first Prothonotary Warbler was a standout, along with Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and Chestnut-sided Warblers. Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and Least Flycatcher were present, and both species of oriole were abundant.

Prothonotary Warbler © Mitch Doucet

After a snack break, we visited the marsh again, where we found a Red-headed Woodpecker, a nesting pair of House Wrens, a Common Snapping Turtle, and a Five-lined Skink.

Day 6 – May 15th

Following breakfast, we drove to Rondeau Provincial Park through a morning fog. Dozens of Purple Martins surrounded the martin houses near the entrance. On the Tulip Tree Trail, we observed Ovenbird, Prothonotary Warblers, and Yellow-throated Vireos.

After visiting the park’s Visitor Centre, we explored Warbler Way, where we saw Black-throated Green and Blue-winged Warblers and heard a Louisiana Waterthrush. During our picnic lunch near the trailhead, Josh caught and safely showed an Eastern Fox Snake, much to everyone’s delight.

Eastern Fox Snake © Josh Dewitt

We wrapped up the day with a visit to Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, where we found Wilson’s Phalarope, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Bank Swallow. That evening, we checked into our hotel in Simcoe.

Day 7 – May 16th

Our day began at Long Point Bird Observatory, where we observed bird banding in action and took a trail walk to spot migrants. At Birds Canada headquarters, we found nesting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and American Robins.

Next was the Big Creek Marsh Trail. Highlights included Spotted Gar hunting in the shallows, Largemouth Bass on nests, calling American Bullfrogs, a Least Bittern, and a floating Blanding’s Turtle.

Later, on the Oak Savannah Trail at Turkey Point, we had excellent views of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and heard Pine and Hooded Warblers, as well as Indigo Buntings.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo © Mitch Doucet

Day 8 – May 17th

We returned to Turkey Point in the morning and picked up another Louisiana Waterthrush and a couple of Semipalmated Plovers along the beach.

At Charlotteville Brewery, we had great looks at a Cerulean Warbler before rain pushed us onward. At Backus Woods’ north lot, we briefly heard a Gray-cheeked Thrush, but wind limited bird activity.

Cerulean Warbler © Mitch Doucet

The Port Rowan Wetlands gave us views of Hooded Merganser and Willow Flycatcher. After lunch at Tim Hortons, we began our long drive to Orillia. A field along the way yielded Eastern Meadowlark and numerous displaying Bobolinks.

Day 9 – May 18th

After breakfast, we headed to the Carden Alvar. Our first stop rewarded us with Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, and excellent views of a Grasshopper Sparrow.

Field Sparrow © Eugen Dolan

Wylie Road was bustling with birders. We had a fantastic view of a Wilson’s Snipe perched on a fencepost. Farther down, a flooded section of road forced us to turn back, despite hearing Sora and seeing Marsh Wrens. We also searched unsuccessfully for Golden-winged Warblers, but found more Field Sparrows, which were seen very well by the group.

We traveled to Spring Lake Resort for the night, where some guests spotted our only Canada Warbler of the trip during an evening walk. Dinner was at the resort.

Day 10 – May 19th

Despite a cold start and brief snow, we set out on Algonquin’s Spruce Bog Boardwalk and were rewarded with views of four Canada Jays, including two begging juveniles.

At the Visitor Centre, we warmed up with coffee and snacks before exploring the Logging Museum Trail, where we saw Ring-necked Duck and more warblers. Lunch back at the centre came with appearances by the local Wild Turkey, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin.

We wrapped up the day with the Beaver Trail, which featured close views of a Common Loon, more eye-level warblers, and an Eastern Garter Snake. That evening, a short walk revealed displaying American Woodcocks and a Red Fox.

Day 11 – May 20th

We opted for an early return to Toronto, with one last stop at the Carden Alvar. At an NCC property trail, we saw numerous Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks calling and displaying in a grassy field.

A hot tip led us to a Golden-winged Warbler, which we found singing on territory. Everyone got views of the bird, which was the only warbler species we still needed to see. Other species at this location included Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Mourning Warbler.

After lunch in Orillia, we made one final birding stop at High Park in Toronto, seeing many familiar migrants and watching a Mute Swan chase Canada Geese around a pond. A garter snake also made an appearance.

We returned to the hotel for our final dinner and checklist session, reminiscing about the incredible trip we had shared.