A few good birds are in the Rondeau Birding Area today.
The WESTERN SANDPIPER continues at Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. Today I saw it
at the middle pond on your right going in, where there is a bit of open
water. It was in company with only 5 Dunlin today. 15 Dunlin were present
yesterday! The sandpiper has been present a full month but may be doomed as
it has ice on its feet and was struggling to walk around.
A good number of ducks was present in pond 3 as well including well over 100
Northern Shovelers and even more Mallards. A male Northern Pintail was also
mixed in with Green-winged Teal and others.
A first year male KING EIDER was spotted off Morpeth cliffs this afternoon
by Jim and Keith Burk. Eiders are rarely seen in the Rondeau area. It was
with a large number of scaup. I saw it soon after reported, fairly close to
shore.
The ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER is still working the dike at McGeachy Pond,
Erieau. It has been present over two weeks. I saw it well several times
this morning. I did not find the BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER there today, but it
was present yesterday. It has been around several weeks.
You never know what is in the tangles there as last week a Wilson's Warbler
and "Yellow" Palm Warbler were photographed last week! They have not been
seen since.
Directions:
Blenheim Lagoon Directions: Exit 401 at #90 (Communications Rd.) and head
into
Blenheim. At the main stoplight turn right (west) onto Rd. 3. Travel
about
1.5 km and turn right (north) onto Lagoon Rd. at the carwash, and continue
north about 1 km to gate. You must have an annual permit to enter.
Available at the Municipal Service Centre, 35 Talbot St. in Blenheim,
during business hours, fax (519) 676-0244.
McGeachy Pond: Go south off Talbot Trail SW of Blenheim on C-K Rd. 12.
Just before the curve to Erieau village, is McGeachy Pond.
Morpeth Cliffs:
Head south from the village of Morpeth off Talbot Trail and follow curve in
road to where it parallels the lake. Or, head down Kent Bridge Road (C-K
road 15) to its south end. Turn left onto Rose Beach Line and go a couple
of km and find the raft of ducks near the last house.
Cheers,
Blake A. Mann
Wallaceburg, Chatham-Kent
Ontario
boatmannATkentDOTnet
Blog: www.burgbirder.blogspot.ca
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