Viewing conditions were perfect today at the East Lake boat launch in Sandbanks PP. Enough ice had melted so that birds were not spooked by birders but still stayed within 60-75 metres of the boat launch. Two greater white-fronted geese were obvious standing on the edge of the ice among the 1000 or so Canada Geese. There were about 25 swans, unfortunately most were well out on the ice with heads tucked in. Swimming within easy viewing range were two mute swans and three tundra swans with two more tundras on the ice identified when they raised their heads. Two apparent first year trumpeter swans also swam within good viewing range.
I would appreciate the opinion of any other birders on these latter two birds. The trumpeters were identified by considerable gray-brown colour on body, straighter culmen with no yellow patch (two of the tundras also seemed to lack this patch), red grin patch and V shape rather than U shape where bill met forehead when seen head on. Two confusing features were the apparent lack of any adult trumpeters and the fact that there was little if any size difference when compared to the tundras. In Wellington harbour there were 5 snow geese, including one adult blue or dark phase, two adult white phase and two white juveniles. On Huyck's Point Rd. west of Wellington 3 adult white phase snow geese joined the hundreds of Canada geese milling around in the sky. Other waterfowl at the East Lake boat launch included 50-100 each of greater scaup, ring-necked duck, common goldeneye and bufflehead. There were smaller numbers of pintails, American wigeons, common mergansers, redheads, hooded mergansers, mallards and blacks with at least one textbook lesser scaup. There was also one horned grebe in Wellington harbour which had many of the same species as East Lake in smaller numbers. There was a northern shrike on Gore Rd. which runs west from County Rd. 23 just south of Rednersville. John Blaney John Blaney 1-613-962-9337 [EMAIL PROTECTED] To find the East Lake boat launch follow the signs to Sandbanks PP from Bloomfield. At the intersection of Cty Rds. 12 and 18 continue on 18 rather than following 12 to the park gate. The entrance to the boat launch is about 1 km further on your left. It is unmarked but it is just past a blue sign saying "Outlet". If you cross the bridge over the river you have gone too far. Wellington harbour is best viewed from the pier behind the LCBO in Wellington just off Highway 33 (Loyalist Parkway). "John Blaney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
