Brenda Carter and I enjoyed two and a half days sketching/birding Friday 9/2, Saturday 9/3 and most of Sunday 9/4. We were treated to some great views of shorebirds, ducks and terns at Owen Point where we spent the majority of our time.
Birds of interest at Owen Point were: 2 basic Horned Grebes, calm conditions on 9/4 finally allowed one to see birds very far out on the water. 1 alternate Long-tailed Duck (alive on gravel bar on the evening of 9/3, but was dead there the next morning). 1 juv. LAUGHING GULL (bathing late in the evening on 9/2, it quickly dried off and flew south over the Lake- despite the strong wind & fading light we were able to get some bad but clearly identifiable photos). 2 juv. American Golden Plovers (singles on 9/3 and 9/4). 7 Whimbrel (a pair and two singles 9/2, a flock of three late evening 9/3). 1 juv-1st basic WESTERN SANDPIPER (identified on 9/3 having not seen a likely candidate all day on 9/2). 2 juv Short-billed Dowitchers (arrived late evening 9/3) I juv/1st yr Lapland Longspur (found with 8+ American Pipits foraging on algae in front of viewing area on 9/4). Many thanks to Don, Fred, Bill, Mike and others. Good birding, Gerard and Brenda. Merrickville, Ontario. Gerard Phillips 246 Heritage Drive, Merrickville, Ontario, K0G IN0 Canada
