Given the few number of decent shorebird habitat areas in the actual GTA, I thought I'd let any interested area birders know that there were a decent number of shorebirds at Claireville Reservoir when I left about 20 minutes ago.
All of the birds were in the upper reservoir, which is currently largely mudflats and shallow water. I didn't pick out any rarities and not much in terms of variety today, but I'd estimate there were over 40 semipalmated plovers and likely over 100 peeps as well as a few yellowlegs, spotted sandpipers and killdeer. A scope is highly useful and probably necessary. Scan all shorelines slowly. Claireville Reservoir is located at Steeles and Finch, about 5 minutes north of Pearson Airport just off Hey 427. Directions: Hwy 427 North to Finch exit. Turn left (west) at the lights at the end of the offramp and follow Finch about 1-2km to the Waterpark entrance on your right. Parking is currently free (that will change whenever the Waterpark opens). Park at the NE corner of the lot and walk down to the reservoir. David Pryor Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
