I’ve been meaning to make this Pelee trip for years. Three days of birds, bins and what is likely the world’s highest known concentration of knee socks and Tilley hats awaited me when I arrived at noon on Tuesday. Twenty warbler species for me, including a very brief peek at a Yellow-breasted Chat, though some of the tastier rarities (such as a Kirtland’s Warbler on the West Beach trail) I missed.

My favourite bird of the trip was a gorgeous Red-headed Woodpecker who liked to hang around the Tip, flycatching alongside the Ceruleans and the Parulas high in the trees. A stunning bird, and without a doubt the best looking of the North American woodpeckers.

Three days really isn’t enough time to take in all of Pelee (particularly since the second day was cold, wet and dismal and not very good birding). Next time, I’ll plan a longer visit (though I suspect that the severity of Warbler Neck that such a trip would entail might leave me permanently crippled).