Birding this morning at Mitchell did not involve a great number of species, but was interesting and enjoyable nevertheless. The following species were noted, in the sequence when the first observation was made. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 5 Pectoral Sandpiper - 10+ Killdeer - common Lesser Yellowlegs - Common Canada Goose - 30+ Great Blue Heron 2 American Goldfinch - Common Mourning Dove - 2 Greater Yellowlegs - 1 Barn Swallow - Common Mallard - Common Black-bellied Plover - 2 Cliff Swallow - +/- 12 Tree Swallow - abundant. There was literally at least a thousand birds, possibly many more, including a great number of juveniles. Many were feeding on the ground right at the edge of the water in the ponds. One unfortunate juvenile had swooped too low over the muck and became trapped in it. Despite its struggles it was unable to extricate itself. No doubt it would expire before too long. Savannah Sparrow - 10 Bobolink - 25+ Ring-billed Gull - 25+ Semipalmated Sandpiper - 37 Semipalmated Plover - 7 American Crow - 8 Solitary Sandpiper - 1 Least Sandpiper - 1 European Starling - 10 Spotted Sandpiper - 1
We birded the wooded area at the west end of the wetlands, but there was no evidence at all of passerine migration. It was essentially birdless. We did not take lunch with us today and went into Mitchell and patronized one of the local eateries. There seems to be a fairly wide choice of restaurants for those choosing to eat locally and invest a little money into the local economy. Since there is apparently some opposition to the creation of the wetland, a noticeable presence of birders spending a few dollars in town cannot help but ameliorate the situation. David Gascoigne and Miriam Bauman Waterloo, ON Directions: Take Highway 8 from Stratford directly to Mitchell. You will pass a sign that proclaims that Howie Morenz was born in Mitchell and then to another sign announcing the town of Mitchell. You will shortly thereafter pass a Tim Horton's; continue on to the first set of traffic lights. This is Wellington Street. Turn left (south) and go as far as you can. You will then be in the parking lot for the wetlands. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
