Shorebird migration close to peaking for many species in southern Ontario. This morning at Ressor Pond we had an eastern subspecies of the Short-billed Dowitcher (nominate griseus) in breeding plumage. This subspecies breeds mainly in Quebec and is much less frequent in Ontario than the inland subspecies hendersoni, which migrates through southern Ontario in good numbers. Compared to the brighter hendersoni with its extensive cinnamon colour below, the cinnamon on griseus is paler and confined to the neck and chest. The Sibley and National Geographic guides illustrate these two subspecies. We also saw a dull morph male Wilson's Phalarope, 15 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Dunlins, 12+ Least Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers and Killdeers. Most shorebirds were at the far side of the pond. You can walk closer, but a scope is needed to see them well.
Directions: Reesor Pond is on the west side Reesor Road about 1 km south of Steeles in Markham. Happy shorebirding, Ron Pittaway and Jean Iron (Jean just went back to get better photos of the griseus) Toronto ON _______________________________________________ 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
