Conditions remain excellent for shorebirds at *Aylmer sewage lagoons*.
There are muddy edges around ponds # 2 and # 3 and most of pond # 4 is
shallow water.
Shorebird numbers were down from last weekend. The most numerous was
Dunlin with 60 individuals. A few Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs were
present as were 4 Pectoral and 1 Spotted Sandpipers.
Waterfowl were plentiful with 250 + Ruddy Ducks and dozens of Lesser
Scaup, Ringed-necked Duck and Bufflehead on the deeper ponds. Dabblers
included Mallard, Black, Gadwall, Pintail, Shovelers and Green-winged
Teal. Blue-winged Teal increased 1200% from last weekend -from 1 to 12
birds.
An untagged Great Egret was at the 4th pond and 2 American Pipits were
on the mud flats.
At *Aylmer WMA*, conditions look great for shorebirds except that there
are no shorebirds and there haven't been any on our 2 to 3 times/week
visits this spring. The 30+ American Wigeon are still present.
There were recently hatched families of Canada Geese at both locations.
_Directions:_
Aylmer WMA is northeast of the Town of Aylmer in Elgin County. From Hwy
401 drive south from Exit 203 on Elgin Road / Hwy 73 which becomes
Imperial Road once you are in Elgin County. Turn left/east on College
Line. Turn right/south on Hacienda Road and drive to the south end of
the Ontario Police College. Turn left/east and follow the laneway to the
viewing stands.
To get to Aylmer lagoons from Aylmer WMA, drive south on Hacienda Road.
Turn right/west on Glencolin Line. Cross over Hwy 73/Imperial Road and
drive to Rodgers Road. Turn left/south on Rodgers and drive about 1 km
to the sewage lagoons on the right.
Warning: these lagoons are marked NO TRESPASSING. To avoid encountering
maintenance staff, we usually visit in the evening or on weekends.
Dave Martin and Linda Wladarski
Harrietsville, ON
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
