Hi folks, I managed to get out to the West Perth Wetlands this evening here in Mitchell...and found several shorebird species were foraging in the main shorebird cell.
Thanks to Jarmo J. for pointing out a WILSON’S PHALAROPE when I first arrived. (looked to be a male...though late evening lighting wasn’t optimal) It was actively feeding just a bit to the east along the berm from the parking lot....picking bugs off plants poking up out of the water. Also had a flock of 64 SB Dowitchers....and it sounds like other locations are reporting good sized flocks of SB Dowitchers today as well. This is definitely the largest flock of this species I’ve ever recorded at the WPW’s. Other shorebird species seen: Semi-P. Plover 4 Dunlin 15 Least Sandpiper 20+ Lesser Yellowlegs 7 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Killdeer 4 White-rumped Sandp. 1 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Also had Eastern Meadowlarks 3....American Pipits 2...Nashville warbler and E. Kingbird....along with a couple hundred swallows...Cliff 2. Rough-winged 6, Barn 10 and the rest were Tree. Water levels continue to look good. Good Birding! Dave J Brown Mitchell, ON thebrowns at ezlink.ca Directions to Mitchell Lagoons: >From the East (Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, GTA) - take Hwy 8 thru Stratford heading west to first lights in Mitchell (Wellington St) and turn left (south) and continue till you hit the "T" intersection at the ball diamond. Lagoon cells are straight back behind the ball diamond and soccer fields and the sewage treatment plant. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >From the London area....take Hwy 23 into Mitchell from the south and just after you pass the "Welcome to Mitchell" sign...watch for Frank St...go right on Frank St and head down over the bridge till you get to the ball diamond (will be on your right). Again...the cells are behind the ball diamond and soccer fields. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >From Southampton area....take Hwy 21, to Goderich and then Hwy 8 to Clinton and down to Mitchell, turn south on Hwy 23 to Frank St. and turn left on Frank St. and head over the bridge to the ball diamonds (which will be on your right). You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. _______________________________________________ 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/
