Hey Folks,
I took a stroll out to the Mitchell (West Perth) Wetlands. this afternoon and
was pleasantly surprised to see well in excess of 200 shorebirds of several
different species.
The majority of the shorebirds are easily visible in the first cell as you walk
up to the top of the berm behind the small parking
lot and entrance garden. This cell has nearly perfect conditions for
shorebirds with lots of shoreline and islands...and good wading depth of water.
The other cells are being held with higher water levels...though the cell that
is just to the SE of the treatment plant is down a bit and somewhat mucky with
just a few shorebirds exploring the edge of it.
The bulk of the shorebirds were Killdeer (50+), Lesser Yellowlegs (70+) and
Least Sandpiper (50+).
Highlights were:
Short-billed Dowitcher (2 - both ssp. hendersoni)
Solitary Sandpiper (3)
Stilt Sandpiper (2 - one still nicely plumaged and the other already quite
dull)
Spotted Sandpiper (10)
Also... Caspian Tern (1), Indigo Bunting (1), lots of swallows (Tree, Barn,
Bank)
I'm very encouraged by the current state of the cells at the wetlands....and
looking forward to the possibility of some great birds as the shorebird
migration gets into full swing over the next few weeks.
Good birding!
Dave
Directions to Mitchell (West Perth) Wetlands:
>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.
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