Angela Martin and I birded the Verner and Warren sewage lagoons yesterday morning. While driving along LeClair Road in West Nipissing, we found 6 Black-bellied Plovers, one in non-breeding plumage, and 6 Ruddy Turnstones. The Verner lagoons, south of Hwy 17 about 1 KM on Hwy 64 and then east on Olivier Road, held 7 Black-bellied Plovers, probably included the 6 seen earlier as that many flew in while we watched, 4 Semi-palmated Plovers, 3 Semi-palmated Sandpipers, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Gadwall and 6 pairs of Northern Shovelers. The Warren lagoons, north from Hwy 17 on Hwy 539, east on Rutland St to Warren Road and south to where it meets Mangan Lane, a dirt road that leads to the lagoons. The first lagoon held 3 American Widgeon, 4 Northern Shovelers, 7 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 2 pairs of Blue-winged Teal and 1 Redhead. The second lagoon held 1 male Blue-winged Teal, 3 male Wood Ducks, many Northern Shovelers, Mallards, Gadwall and American Widgeon. Both lagoons are posted for trespassing, but the gates are open and the berms are very drivable. Kevin Shackleton _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
