I wasn't able to confirm the sighting until I got home tonight and examined the few photos I got. The Western was in with a small flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers on Beach 3 late this afternoon. I had spotted it in the flock and was suspicious but the light was harsh and they immediately flew a short distance. A second chance showed the typical longer beak with a slight droop at the end. I couldn't get the confirming look I wanted before they were chased off by a Merlin and were not refound. I waited for closer examination of the shots and it had the hoped for evidence of some rusty on the scapulars.
There was also a single Baird's Sandpiper there with Semipalmated and Least. Shorebird numbers were low with additional birds being Semipalmated Plovers, Sanderings and a couple of Black-bellied Plovers. The beach is in much better shape than on previous visits and suitable for additional migrants. On a related migration note, songbird migrants were almost non existent in the afternoon. Brian Morin _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
