This morning between 0945 and 1015 at Port Bruce, we observed 3 flocks
of Whimbrel [8, 14 and 16 birds] totaling 38 individuals moving west
along the shoreline. The flocks of 14 and 16 circled over the beach
several times where 30 gulls were loafing but eventually moved on
without landing.
Later this morning at Port Stanley between 1100 and 1300h , Jim Dunn and
Mary Carnahan counted 500+ Whimbrels including a couple of flocks of
200+ individuals. The flocks wheeled around the harbour and over the
lake for about 1.5 hours and then the entire bunch landed on the west
breakwall.
Shorebird migration can be observed throughout the day. The largest ever
fall-out of Whimbrel [2000+] at Port Stanley was in the afternoon. We
have often gone down to Port Bruce in the evening over the years and
have observed just as many flocks of Whimbrel in the evening as in the
morning. Also, at this time of the year we have observed large flocks of
100s to 1000s of Long-tailed Ducks and smaller numbers of White-winged
and Surf Scoters as dusk sets in. There is no predicting whether any
given day will be better than the next. Some days are a bust. Plan on
spending a couple of days. Shorebird watching along the shoreline can be
good from now until the end of the first week of June. Over the years,
the best time to see Red Knots and other later migrants such as
White-rumped Sandpiper is in late May and early June.
Port Bruce is south of Aylmer in Elgin County. Take Hwy 73 / Imperial
Road south from Aylmer, cross the bridge over Catfish Creek and make
your way to the lake where you can watch from the beach [Sandcastle
Restaurant] or from the harbour.
Port Stanley is south of St Thomas in Elgin County. Take Hwy 4 / Sunset
Drive south from St. Thomas. At the stoplights in Port Stanley drive
south towards the lake and turn left onto East Beach just past the
stores. You can drive or walk a short distance to the east breakwall.
Alternately, you can turn right at the stop lights and left shortly
thereafter to make your way to the main / west beach. Be advised that
the town is now charging for parking at the beach parking lots. There is
no charge at the east beach. Port Stanley is about 15 minutes west of
Port Bruce.
If you want to make a day of watching for shorebirds in central and east
Elgin County, include Port Burwell also, which is about 15 minutes east
of Port Bruce. The beach at Port Burwell is long and isolated at this
time of the year so shorebirds [Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderlings
and even Red Knots] are more likely to land and stay on the beach for a
while.
Port Burwell is south of Tilsonburg in Elgin County. From Tilsonburg
drive south on Hwy 19 / Plank Road to Port Burwell. Keep straight to get
to the east beach. Turn right to cross the bridge over Otter Creek to
get to the west beach which is located in Port Burwell PP. There are 4
beach accesses in the park that will allow you to scan the several km
long beach.
Dave Martin and Linda Wladarski
[email protected]
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/
