Tundra Swans have moved into the Long Pt area in large numbers over the past week with many easily observed in the Big Creek NWA. In addition, several thousand ducks of a number of species can be seen on Long Pt. Inner Bay just off the Port Rowan overlook or from the overlook at BSC's HQ property. Interestingly, while many species of waterfowl are here in good numbers, both species of scaup are so far, to a large extent, conspicuously absent. With scaup in mind, BSC biologists have the following request of any Ontbirders living in the area of Strathroy. Any help would be appreciated.
The Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund (LPWWRF) / Bird Studies Canada implanted a number of Lesser and Greater scaup with satellite transmitters during the spring of 2006 at Long Point and Hamilton Harbor to determine their migration pathways and chronology. Many of these birds are now en route or have returned to the lower Great Lakes region; their movements and current satellite locations can be viewed on the "Scaup Tracker" page of the LPWWRF website http://www.bsc-eoc.org/lpbo/lpwwrf.html. Recent data indicates that one of these birds (affectionately named "Howard") is on the Strathroy sewage lagoons, southwest of town on Pike Road. LPWWRF researchers are very interested to know if anyone has observed this bird and can provide a report on its general behavior. This bird can be identified by the relatively inconspicuous black antennae protruding vertically from it's rear-end. If anyone has information on this bird please contact Dr. Shannon Badzinski - LPWWRF Scientist - at 519-586-3531 ext 220 / toll-free at 888-448-2473 or by email ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Ron Ridout Bird Studies Canada P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan. ON N0E 1M0 519-586-3531 Ext 204 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
