Well folks...talk about deja vu!! I took a quick tour around the Mitchell sewage lagoons this evening and came across a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE feeding alongside a WILSON'S PHALAROPE ....again!! They were in the eastern part of the large "L" shaped cell on the left....just take the first berm path to the left. This also leads around to the hidden cell behind the sewage treatment plant.
What's interesting is that there were similar sightings here back on August 2nd with these same two species...also feeding together. The plumages on both birds seen today appeared much further along towards basic. I have to think they're new birds. The shorebird habitat at Mitchell continues to be excellent in most of the cells. Make sure to check the algae pad in the hidden cell right behind the sewage treatment plant fence as it contained at least a couple of hundred peeps and some larger shorebirds. Other species seen this evening included: Baird's Sandpiper (2 Juvenile, 2 Adult) Short-billed Dowitcher (2 - Looked like Juveniles to me although the lighting was getting poor) Spotted Sandpiper (9) Lesser Yellowlegs (40+) Greater Yellowlegs (20+) Pectoral Sandpiper (50+) Least Sandpiper (50+) Semipalmated Sandpiper (10) Semipalmated Plover (6) Good Birding!! Dave Directions to Mitchell Lagoons: >From the East (Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, GTA) - take Hwy 8 thru Stratford heading west to first lights in Mitchell (Wellington St) and turn left (south) and continue till you hit the "T" intersection at the ball diamond. Lagoon cells are straight back behind the ball diamond and soccer fields and the sewage treatment plant. >From the London area....take Hwy 23 into Mitchell from the south and just after you pass the "Welcome to Mitchell" sign...watch for Frank St...go right on Frank St and head down over the bridge till you get to the ball diamond (will be on your right). Again...the cells are behind the ball diamond and soccer fields. >From Southampton area....take Hwy 21, to Goderich and then Hwy 8 to Clinton and down to Mitchell, turn south on Hwy 23 to Frank St. and turn left on Frank St. and head over the bridge to the ball diamonds (which will be on your right). Walk down the side of the soccer fields to the lagoons behind.
