Hi Ontbirders, Bruce Di Labio and I checked the Presqu'ile Beach from Beach 1 to 4 this morning in the mostly driving rain and there has been a fairly big fallout of shorebirds. While nothing rare was seen, the numbers of some species were impressive.
Birds included, 1a, 80j Semi Plover 4a,4j Black-b Plover 3j Golden Plover 106a White-r Sandpiper (to my knowledge we have never had anywhere near this many adults in a day, and this may now be the all-time high count) 1j Baird's S/p 4a, 200j Semi S/p (including at least 4 very long-billed birds) 80j Least S/p 83u Pectoral S/p (possibly a new all-time high count) 1a, 60j Sanderling 15j Stilt S/p (a high count in recent years) Also, we went out yesterday evening and saw the imm. Black Tern again as well as an imm. Forster's Tern, a Whimbrel and a flock of 18 juv. Red Knot (a high count for fall) flying over Gull island. We have had 5" of rain since last night and many pathways are under water as is most of the beach. Rubber boots are a good idea if you plan to bird the beach or Owen Pt. trail. Cheers, Doug McRae Directions: Exit Hwy. 401 at the Brighton exit and follow Cty. Rd. 30 south to Brighton, then follow park signs from there.
