Got out to the Exeter lagoons today around noon and saw the three juvenile Red-necked Phalaropes reported by Rick Thornton. They were in weeds close to the north side of the first cell as you enter from Airport Line.
Also saw the Eared Grebe, the Pied-billed Grebes, one Hooded Merganser and lots of Ruddy Ducks. Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpipers and Killdeer were the only other shorebirds. Went over to the Mitchell lagoons afterwards. No phalaropes but the shorebirds reported by Dave Brown in the drier area behind the treatment plant were plentiful. Least, Baird's, Semipalmated Sandpipers & Plovers, and Pectorals. Many Lesser Yellowlegs in and around the lagoons. Directions to Exeter lagoons from Rick's posting with one modification: Exeter lagoons are west of Exeter (30 miles north of London on Highway #4). Go through Exeter to the lights just past the Tim Horton's. Go west to the first concession (Airport Line) and turn left, south. Proceed to the second gate on the left, park without blocking the gate and walk in. Just a reminder that you are required to have and display on your dashboard, a valid, free, yearly pass to the lagoons which can be obtained at the municipal office in Exeter during business hours. Office is at the corner of Main and Sanders, in the same building as the library. Directions to Mitchell from Dave's posting: 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. John Stirrat Scarborough
