The Purple Sandpiper is still feeding on the algae at the SW corner of Cobourg harbour, but just before 3pm a moulting juv. Red-necked Phalarope flew in from the lake and is bobbing around at the edge of the algae near the Purple. A winter adult Little Gull joined a group of about 35 Boneys flying in and out of the harbour. The phalarope is a difficult one and caused considerable discussion among the fairly august group of birders assembled - the bill seems a bit too thick for Red-necked, but no pale at the base, and there seems to be a lot of unstreaked pale gray in the scapulars, but the general consensus remains Red-necked rather than Red. I hate to leave the harbour in case something else amazing flies in off the storm-tossed lake.
Directions: Exit Hwy.401 at Division Street, Exit 474, and drive south to the harbour. Drive round the north edge of the harbour for free parking on the west side, and walk out on the west headland. Margaret Bain Cobourg [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ 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
