Tony Bigg, Jerry Ball and I made a quick trip to Hamilton for the White-faced Ibis, which we saw well. On the way back, we stopped at the Willows to check for the American White Pelican. Half way along the trail by the dried up pond we saw a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow but couldn't find the Pelican anywhere. We went around to Princess Point and found the pelican swimming with some Mute Swan in the north-east corner of Cootes Paradise. Scope recommended. It was actually very close to the 403.
On the way back, we stopped off for the Hudsonian Godwit at the pond at the Darlington Nuclear Plant. It was at the west end of the pond in the open. There was also a Ruddy Duck and Northern Pintail swimming nearby. Anne Anthony Peterborough Directions: White-face Ibis: Main Street West in Hamilton to Cootes Drive. Turn right onto Olympic and park on the north side of the Desjardin Canal in the parking area . Walk along the path through the fragmites to the end. Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow: On Cootes Drive park on the south side by the bridge between Olympic and Main Street. Cross to the north side, walk across the bridge and take the path that follows the creek. (This trail is over a kilometer long and take 20 minutes or so to walk without stops.) The bridge that crosses the creek is out, so make sure you are on the east side to start. The former pond is on the right about half-way out to the end. The sparrow was in the fragmites at the north end of the pond. American White Pelican: From Main (or King) streets in Westdale (West Hamilton near McMaster) turn north on Longwood and go to the end. There is a park here. Go to the end of the parking area. (Put some money in the pay and display machine) Walk to the north-east corner of the park. Hudsonian Godwit: Between Oshawa and Bowanville exist the 401 at Courtice Rd (exit 425). Take the south service road east to Solina Rd. (~1.5 kms) turn south and go past the soccer fields to the Waterfront trail. Walk east to the pond on the north side of the trail. _______________________________________________ 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
