Hi Ontbirders After three weeks in Texas, I returned to find that the filling of the new shorebird impoundment at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area had indeed occurred as scheduled in early April. If initial observations are any indication, its going to be a great success!
On April 23rd, there were: 75 Dunlin 120 Pectoral Sandpiper 25 Greater Yellowlegs 18 Lesser Yellowlegs 4 Killdeer 12 Caspian Terns 4 Forsters Terns 1 Great Black-backed Gull 200+ Ring-billed Gulls 75 Bonaparte's Gulls 4 Herring Gulls 175 Ruddy Ducks 10 Bufflehead 12 Lesser Scaup 2 Redhead 8 Ring-necked Duck 45 Green-winged Teal 2 Northern Pintail 6 Northern Shoveler 2 Blue-winged Teal 8 Mallard 1 American Black Duck 10 American Wigeon 4 Canada Geese And I think its only going to get better!! Just a REMINDER to be sure to park in the designated lot at NW Hillman Marsh, and pay the entrance fee at the self serve kiosk. An annual permit (RECOMMENDED!) is available directly from ERCA (visit their website at www.erca.org or call 519 776-5209). Hillman Marsh is just north of Point Pelee National Park, in Essex County Ontario about 45 minutes drive southeast of Windsor, Ontario. To reach Hillman Marsh Conservation Area from Erie Street (Hwy 77) in Leamington, turn east at the Heinz plant (Oak Street) and continue east for 6.5 kilometres to the entrance on the right (south) side of the road. Park and walk due south along the fence line of grassy area with the predator exclusion fence. The new impoundment is about 300 yards/metres ahead of you and is accessed by a dike. Good birding! Cheers, Tom Tom Hince Wild Rose Guest House On the web at: http://www.netcore.ca/~peleetom RR#1 (21298 Harbour Rd.) Wheatley, ONT. (gateway to Point Pelee National Park) N0P 2P0 Canada (519) 825-9070 (phone/voice) (519) 825-9169 (fax) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Tom Hince" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
