Hi All, I managed to take a jaunt out to the Mitchell Wetland ponds (former sewage lagoons) this afternoon and found that all ponds are now completely free of ice...and indeed the water levels are the highest I've seen in a long time.
Highlights were a single HORNED GREBE that's close to completing its pre-alternate molt. and a single RED-NECKED GREBE that's pretty much completed its molt. They were easily seen in the last pond at the furthest back left of the property. I also spotted my first male Tree Swallow for the season cruising low over the water of the same cell. There was also a good variety of waterfowl in this same cell: American Wigeon - 10 Pair Northern Shoveler - 1 Pair Ruddy Duck - 3 Pair and 4 lone males Redhead - 2 Pair Ringed-necked Duck - 17 pair and 3 lone males Lesser Scaup - 15 pair Bufflehead - 22 pair Green-winged Teal - 2 pair Blue-winged Teal - 1 lone male D.C. Cormorant - 5 in flight (did not land) Mallard - 2 Pair Also had 20+ singing Savanah Sparrow, 6 Song Sparrow and 4 Horned Lark. Good Birding! Dave J Brown Mitchell, ON thebrowns at ezlink.on.ca Note: There are no permits required to walk around the Mitchell wetland area. Directions to Mitchell Wetland Ponds: >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. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >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. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >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). You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. _______________________________________________ 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/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
