Ontbirders - At 8:15am this morning, I found 2 long-billed dowitchers at the upper Claireville reservoir in Toronto. They were initially foraging with several yellowlegs just off the western mudflat, then flew across the reservoir to the eastern side.
Other shorebirds present included american golden-plover, pectoral sandpiper, both greater and lesser yellowlegs, and a number of killdeer. Several great egret and great blue heron were also seen as well as the expected gulls, ducks and geese. A scope is helpful although probably not required for viewing any birds on the near mudflats but is necessary for ID-ing any shorebirds on the opposite (eastern) shoreline. Claireville reservoir is located in Toronto, just north of Pearson airport. Directions - take Hwy. 427 north to the Finch off-ramp. Turn left (west) onto Finch, then drive ~2km to the intersection of Finch and Kenview. Turn right at this traffic light into the Wild Water Kingdom parking lot and park on east side of the parking lot near the picnic areas. The gates into the parking lot were open and unmanned this morning so I assume there's no charge for parking at this time of year. Walk down past the picnic areas towards the trees and scrub bordering the reservoir. There aren't really many decent routes cutting through the scrub so you may have to beat your own path to the waterline. 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
