Doug Lockrey and I birded Presqu'ile on Lake Ontario today. Our best shorebird was an adult Baird's Sandpiper at Owen Point. Adults are rare in southern Ontario while juveniles are much more frequent. The first juvenile Baird's are expected in a week or two. The Baird's was with two adult Semipalmated Sandpipers and seven Least Sandpipers of which four were juveniles. These were our first juvenile Leasts and Bruce Di Labio also saw his first juvenile Least today in Ottawa. The first juvenile Least was seen on 17 July at Longridge Point on James Bay.
There were many fewer shorebirds than we expected but numbers should increase soon as more juveniles of several species make their appearance. Viewing shorebirds from most lookout stations is blocked by vegetation. Best to go to the tip of Owen Point where there is a good view up and down the shoreline and of Gull Island. For information on watching shorebirds in southern Ontario see link. It's a shorebird primer to supplement your field guide. www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/southboundshorebirds.php Directions: Exit 401 to Brighton and follow signs to the park. Get an information tabloid with map when you pay the entrance fee. Go to the Owen Point Trail parking lot and follow path to the last or tip lookout. Ron Pittaway Minden and Toronto ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
