Yesterday we birded in the Port Stanley area and found a number of
interesting species.
At Hawk Cliff, we found an Acadian Flycatcher already on territory. The
Hawk Cliff property has been purchased by Thames Talbot Land Trust. They
are planning on developing a couple of trails soon but at the moment
there are no trespassing signs. along the woodland edge.
For now, there can be good birding along the road.
At Port Stanley harbour we watched 3 flocks of Whimbrel totaling 195
individuals land on the east breakwall between 1:30 and 2:30 pm. There
is a sloped edge on the outer wall of the breakwall which is where the
Whimbrel and other shorebirds moved to shortly after landing so they
were out of sight most of the time except when a boat passed too close
and flushed them. During that viewing period we also saw 3 Ruddy
Turnstones land and then leave, 40 Dunlin land and stay and 2
Black-bellied and 1 Semipalmated Plover check out the breakwall but kept
going west.
At Port Stanley lagoons, a breeding plumaged Eared Grebe was easy to get
good looks at in the 3rd pond [going east to west]. Male ducks still
present included 5 Northern Shoveler, 1 Green-winged Teal, 1 Blue-winged
Teal and 1 Redhead. There is only a bit of shoreline habitat for
shorebirds. Those present were 5 Semipalmated Plover, 3 Semipalmated, 2
Least and 1 Spotted Sandpipers and 7 Dunlin.
At Aylmer Wildlife Management Area there is plenty of shorebird habitat
but few shorebirds so far this spring. Yesterday's tally amounted to the
same species and a similar number of individuals as at Port Stanley. Of
local interest a Clay-coloured Sparrow has shown up for the 3rd summer
and has been singing on territory since we first saw it on May 17. It's
territory is located to the SE of the intersection of the road into the
main viewing stands and the road which goes off to the right to the rear
viewing stand. It's easier to hear than see so familiarize yourself with
its call.
Directions
Hawk Cliff is south of St Thomas and east of Port Stanley. Access Hawk
Cliff road from Dexter Line coming from Port Stanley or from Fairview
Line which comes south from St Thomas.
Port Stanley is at the lake end of Hwy 4 south of St Thomas. To watch
for migrant shorebirds and check out the shorebirds and gulls sitting on
the breakwall follow Hwy 4 through the only lights in Port Stanley south
- don't turn right and cross the bridge. At the end of the shops and
boutiques turn left and park at Little Beach. Walk about 5 minutes along
the shoreline to the south end where you will have a good view of the
rocky part of the breakwall. You'll need a scope to have good looks at
gulls and shorebirds sitting on the breakwall.
Port Stanley lagoons are north west of Port Stanley. From Hwy 4 turn
west on Warren Street near the north end of Port Stanley. At its
intersection with Carlow Rd proceed through the intersection on Lake
Line and then turn right on Scotch Line along which the two viewing
stands are located.
Aylmer WMA is NE of Aylmer Ontario. From Aylmer drive north on Hwy 73 /
Imperial Road, turn right on Glencolin, turn left on Hacienda, turn
right into Aylmer WMA at the south end of the Aylmer/Ontario Police
College property and drive to the viewing stands.
Dave Martin and Linda Wladarski
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