Although it might be argued that "Short-billed Dowitcher" and I be prohibited
from appearing in the same post together, I did, in fact, observe two crisply
detailed juveniles of this species in the second cell of the Holland Landing
lagoons today at noon. They were in the company of a juvenile Stilt Sandpiper
and numerous Lesser Yellowlegs. (The molting adult Stilt present earlier in
the week was not present.)
This fortuitous arrangement of the three species feeding together allowed for
excellent comparisons, with the Stilt being an interesting mixture of the other
two: a species "in between". The combination of bright sunshine, close
proximity to the birds, and a copy of the excellent Shorebird Guide by O'Brien,
et. al. to refer to made for a pleasant and uncompromised study (...even with
my much maligned old scope).
Peep numbers were still high with at least 100 Least Sandpipers being present
as well as six Semipalmated Sandpipers (that I could see). I did not find any
Pectoral or Solitary Sandpipers today but there were several Spotties running
around and doing their tight-winged flights.
After a pleasant chat with the Karner brothers of South Peel region who were
also birding the lagoons today, I checked the easternmost cell for the three
Red-necked Phalaropes that were there Monday and Tuesday but could not find
them. On my way out, however, I took one last look at the dowitchers in the
2nd lagoon and to my pleasant surprise one of the RN Phalaropes was busily
spinning and darting near the eastern shore among the Bonaparte's gulls.
The change-over in birds since Monday and Tuesday is encouraging: birds are
definitely moving through, so each day holds the promise of new arrivals. An
interesting dynamic to keep in mind when birding there is that the numerous
Blue-winged Teal are very skittish. This has a domino effect: the teal alarm
the noisy Mallards which in turn put the Boney's and the peeps up and often
stirs the many yellowlegs too. When this happens, don't cuss: as Ron Pittaway
says, it stirs the pot and the birds often come back in new configurations,
often revealing some species that might have been hidden previously.
Ron Fleming, Newmarket
GATE UPDATE: Whether it was the work of industrious local workers,
conscientious lagoon lovers, or birdwatching elves, the gate hinges have been
firmly set back onto their L-brackets and the nasty prospect of a gate
collapsing under one's weight now seems to have been circumvented. Still,
exercise caution on entry and, if you are "svelte" enough, consider going
through the bent-open bars rather than over the gate.
DIRECTIONS: The Holland Landing lagoons are just north of Newmarket,
which in turn is about 30 minutes directly north of Toronto. From
Davis Drive/Hwy.9 in mid-Newmarket, turn north at the lights on Yonge Street
(the Upper Canada Mall will be on the NW side of this busy intersection).
Drive past all
the "big box" stores in the north part of Newmarket (past Tim Horton's,
Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Future Shop, Costco, Silvercity Cinemas,
etc.) and past the Victory Church to the stoplights beside Brooklin Concrete
and the Newmarket Inn (this is about 2 kms north of Green Lane).
Turn right into Holland Landing and follow the curving descent to the
lights at the bridge (don't take the left near the bottom of the hill).
The bridge crosses the railway tracks, then the East Holland River. Go north
past Mount Albert Rd. You will be on Old Yonge Street.
Keep going north through town, past Beckett Ave. You will go through
a little curve in the road where there are conifer stands on both
sides, then you will pass Doane Rd. on the right. About a km after that you
will see two white wagon wheels and a Maximum 60 sign; this is Cedar St. Turn
right (east) and follow it to the dead end.
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Wilson's Phalarope - White River Sewage Lagoons
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Hi fellow birders,
This posting is on behalf of John Ralston (OMNR field staff) who is
working in White River this week. He called me to report a Wilson's
Phalarope in the White River Sewage Lagoons. It was actively feeding and
in non-breeding plumage. It was observed on Monday and Tuesday (Aug 14 &
15th).
White River is situated about 4 hours north of Sault Ste. Marie along
Highway 17 north.
The Sewage Lagoons are located along a gravel/sand utility road, 1 km
south-west of the OPP office (at the Corner of Hwy 17 and Hwy 631) and
0.5 km north-east of the arena (along Winnepig Street south) in White
River.=20
Ken McIlwrick
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
