Point Pelee 6-11 May

6-12 May - A spring trip to this North American migration hotspot on the north shore of Lake Erie, with Chris Dodds Canadian photographer. The second week of May sees the Warbler passage at its peak with the potential for falls of these charismatic, colourful species if southerly winds encourage their migration and the weather turns contrary - these birds then become exhausted crossing the water, and drop into the Point to feed, allowing close views. The weather in Ontario has been unsettled and wet his spring, and the showery conditions continued during my visit - indeed, on the 9th, regular visitors described the fall as one of the best days for a couple of decades - the Point was crawling with migrants, with birds dropping into the trees and also landing on the beach where they fed at close range along the tide line, oblivious their human admirers. Amazingly colourful in their vivid breeding plumage, they afforded stunning views - Blackburnian Warblers with flame-coloured throats glowing, multi-coloured Chestnut-sided, Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers, stunning American Redstarts, together with confiding Vireos, and more skulking Warblers such as Mourning and Kentucky - all these species and more were seen at close range, though with such active species photography is always a challenge - I achieved reasonable pics of most species - as well as the above, good looks also at Black-and-White and Northern Parula, amazing views of Ovenbird, and the glowing male Prothonotary Warbler, along with skulking Thrushes. Wader passage at Hillman Marsh was poorer than average apparently due to widespread flooding dispersing the shorebirds, though I had very good views of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as views of Short-billed Dowitcher and Wilson’s Phalarope. Altogether a very successful week, at least 25 Warbler species seen with great views of most of them. North American birders are very friendly compared with their UK counterparts.