Hi folks, I was out checking the wetlands this afternoon....and found that the number of shorebirds continues to grow with almost ALL feeding in the cell right at the parking area. This cell continues to be excellent for shorebirds and other waders. Note that the fenced cell is still bone dry as we’ve had no where near enough rain to overflow into it. There is some shoreline with mudflats in the other cells and if you check the edges closely there are birds there as well.
Shorebird Species seen: STILT SANDPIPER - 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER – 3 (all juv.) Solitary Sandpiper – 2 Least Sandpiper – 50+ Semi-palmated Sandpiper – 5 Greater Yellowlegs – 10 Lesser Yellowlegs – 100+ Killdeer – 70+ Wilson’s Snipe – 3 Pectoral Sandpiper - 10 Semi-palmated Plover – 4 Also, this past Sunday I had the first American Golden Plover – 3 for the fall at this site. Nice birds all transitioning into basic plumage. And a single SB Dowitcher was reported to me...though I never saw it myself. We’re still seeing the 5 Great Egrets that have been around for more than a week (assuming they’re the same birds). None of these birds are tagged. When I left, 2 of the egrets were still in the shorebird cell but the other 3 flew down to the river right by the concrete bridge that you cross if you come in from the Hwy #23 side. Other birders reported that the Sora were still being seen in the big cell at the back....and a couple I spoke with from London reported a small hawk or falcon seen zipping around the one cell ...possibly our adult female Merlin that’s been seen around Mitchell. I also saw a couple of Bobolink right along the first berm by the parking area. Some waterfowl still loafing around the cell as well with Mallards, Am. Black Ducks, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal and quite a few Wooducks. Good birding! Dave Directions to 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. _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
