Excellent shorebirding again today at the Holland Landing Sewage
Lagoons. Directions below. I birded the lagoons today with Don Wiens
of Richmond Hill. Two new shorebird arrivals mentioned first.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 2 adults first spotted by Don Wiens. First
for Holland Landing this season. Numbers will increase over the next
few weeks. First fresh juveniles expected in early August.
Stilt Sandpiper: 1 fine adult in worn alternate (breeding) plumage
was in the second pond with Lesser Yellowlegs. Skip Shand emailed to
say he'd seen the Stilt early this morning before Don and I were
there. This species will increase at the lagoons over the next few
weeks. Old-time market hunters called Stilt Sandpipers "bastard
yellowlegs" thinking they were a cross (hybrid) between a dowitcher
and a yellowlegs. That's a good ID tip when looking for them.
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 adult. Numbers should increase.
Short-billed Dowitcher: None, the previous birds at the lagoons are
probably along the Atlantic Coast now. Many southbound shorebirds are
rapid migrants and some have already reached Florida and Texas. More
adult Short-billeds from the north are expected for another three
weeks. As adult numbers decrease in early August, juvenile numbers
will increase. There is a brief time about the second week of August
when adult and juvenile Short-billeds are seen together in southern Ontario.
Least Sandpiper: 40 adults. Juveniles soon. I had a juvenile on this
date many years ago.
Lesser Yellowlegs: 53 adults. First fresh juveniles soon. Watch for
them. They'll stand out among the worn adults.
Greater Yellowlegs: None. First juveniles in early August.
Solitary Sandpiper: 8 adults in worn alternate plumage. First fresh
juveniles expected in late July. They'll also stand out among the worn adults.
Spotted Sandpiper: +20 mostly adults.
Semipalmated Plover: 1 adult. First juveniles expected in 3 weeks.
Killdeer: +25 being a mix of adults and locally hatched juveniles.
Comment: I haven't seen any Blue-winged Teal on 5 visits to the
lagoons. Don Wiens saw 1 recently. Blue-winged Teal were once common
at sewage lagoons in summer. What has happened to this species?
Directions: Please read carefully. About 50 km north of Toronto. From
Highway 401 go north on 404 to Green Lane (last exit). Go west on
Green Lane to 6th traffic light. Turn right on Yonge St. and go about
1 km and exit to Holland Landing Road. Follow winding road, which
will shortly become Yonge Street again (no turns), and stay on Yonge
through Holland Landing for 5.6 km. Turn right on Cedar St. to
lagoons. If you get to Queensville Side Road you've gone about 1 km
past Cedar St. Do not block locked entrance to lagoons. Also do not
climb the new gate. Last year the old gate was broken off its hinges
because people climbed it. Go to small opening at left of gate to old
road. Walk 15 steps to first orange stake. Walk short distance past
large white pine to lagoon road. Wear long pants because of poison
ivy. Last summer I met York Region staff at the lagoons several
times. They were always friendly and even looked through the scope.
Good behaviour will ensure access continues.
Ron Pittaway
Minden and Toronto ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
P.S. After just returning from the European Arctic, Jean left again
this morning on another shorebird adventure. Mark Peck of the Royal
Ontario Museum, Gerry Binsfeld and Jean are on their way to Mingan,
Quebec on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Mingan is
north of Anticosti Island and known for its concentrations of
southbound shorebirds. Mark's team from the ROM is working with the
Canadian Wildlife Service and Quebec researchers who are studying Red
Knots. They'll be surveying other shorebird numbers too.
