Today I bird Rattray Marsh from 12:15 to 2:15 and found nine species
of shorebird including three Red-necked Phalaropes. They flew around
2:00 pm were swimming and actively feeding about 20 meters ene of the
outlet of marsh into Lake Ontario (near the new low carp net) when I
left. They were juveniles: all had a considerable amount of brown
between the black scapulars and some light brown on the upper breast
turning into wide streaking the sides. Also seen: 5 Killdeer; 1
Semipalmated Plover; 1 Greater Yellowlegs; 2 each of Lesser
Yellowlegs; Solitary and Baird's Sandpiper; 5 Spotted Sandpiper and 10
Least Sandpiper. There are extensive mudflats forming as the marsh
level drops and I would suggest regular visits would provide birders
with a variety of shorebirds for the next two or three weeks at least.
Directions:
Park at the south end of Bexhill which runs south of Lakeshore
Boulevard between Mississauga Road and Erin Mills Parkway (ie.
Clarkson). The closest view of the mudflats is from the marsh outlet
into Lake Ontario although the lookout area near the lake offers a
more distant view. I suggest bringing a scope.
Wayne Renaud (289-828-0043).
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
