After easily finding the Eurasian Collared Dove this morning on Fifty Rd, (at
Ridge Rd) Winona, Maureen Smith and I headed to Dundas Marsh. We headed out to
the tip, then went back to the pond and then decided to take one last crack at
the tip. We, again, searched the area for 15 or 20 minutes and got distracted
by a vireo. At 11:45 am, the Canada Geese alerted us with their commotion and
Maureen spotted a group of newly arrived larger shorebirds. The Ruff was with
a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs. After about two minutes of scoping the Ruff, it
flew low around the corner to the north (?) and out of sight. (Nice rump view)
This area might be better viewed from the North Shore trails at the RBG, but I
don't know the area well.
Anne Anthony
Peterborough
Barry's directions (revised a bit)
Dundas Marsh (The Willows) - Take Main St. (in Hamilton) West to Cootes Drive
(at McMaster University), down hill (north) to a bridge over the creek. Watch
the parking regulations - the best way is to continue 200 m. to Olympic Drive,
then u-turn back to the bridge on the south side of Cootes Drive. Take the
trail on the side of the bridge closest to McMaster, (marked with a very faded
light blue square with no words) as the old bridge has been removed. Walk along
the creek which goes out to what is called the Willows. If you follow this
trail, the creek is on your LEFT side. Half way down the trail, there is a pond
on the right when this end of the marsh if it is wet. At the end of the
Willows, there are extensive mudflats and this is where the Ruff was seen.
Note: this trail can be wet and muddy (not now). There are holes in the ground
made by animals, and there are MANY fallen trees which require agility to
circumvent. It is quite a workout and is approximately 20 to 25 minute walk to
the tip area.
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Subject: [Ontbirds]More Juvenile Shorebirds - Holland Landing
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Species diversity and numbers of shorebirds are increasing at the
Holland Landing Sewage Lagoons. About 175 individual shorebirds
present today. Most are in the 2nd and 4th lagoons. Many adult
shorebird species will peak over the next three weeks followed by a
sharp decrease in adults of many species by the end of the second
week of August. By mid-August the juveniles of many species will
outnumber respective adults. The season moves quickly. Get out to
enjoy the shorebird migration. New shorebird arrivals mentioned first.
Least Sandpiper: My first juveniles of fall season. 2 bright fresh
juveniles contrasting with the many worn darker adults. The first
southbound adult Least was on 22 June, exactly 1 month ago. This
pattern of adults and juveniles is typical of most shorebird species.
Lesser Yellowlegs: My first juveniles of the fall juveniles fall. 2
juveniles among the many adults. Kevin McLaughlin saw 3 juvenile
Lessers at Hamilton on Friday.
Greater Yellowlegs: None today, 1 yesterday. When Greaters are
present, their loud ringing deer-deer-deer call often gives them away
before you spot them. Numbers of Greaters are over reported. Check
them carefully.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 3 adults today, 6 yesterday. Numbers should
increase soon.
Pectoral Sandpiper: 2 adults. This species does not molt until it
reaches the wintering grounds.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 1 dull adult hendersoni.
Solitary Sandpiper: 15 adults in worn alternate plumage.
Spotted Sandpiper: +20 mostly adults. Where are the locally hatched
juveniles? Not many so far.
Semipalmated Plover: 1 adult, 2 yesterday.
Killdeer: +30, a mix of adults and mostly juveniles with many still
with retained downy tail streamers which eventually break off the tail tip.
Other birds: Three Bonaparte's Gulls: an adult with a full hood and 2
first summer (year old) birds without hoods but with a retained
juvenile dark tail bands. Yesterday there were 2 singing Field
Sparrows and a singing Alder Flycatcher by the 4th lagoon. The Alder
was singing repeatedly again today.
Red Knot Survey in Quebec: Jean and Gerry Binsfeld are assisting Mark
Peck of the Royal Ontario Museum to survey Red Knots and other
shorebirds with the Canadian Wildlife Service at the Mingan
Archipelago on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Quebec.
Jean will be phoning me soon with a report about the survey and I'll
post the information to Ontbirds.
Directions: Please read carefully. About 50 km north of Toronto. From
Highway 401 go north on 404 to Green Lane (last exit). Go west on
Green Lane to 6th traffic light. Turn right on Yonge St. and go about
1 km and exit to Holland Landing Road. Follow winding road, which
will shortly become Yonge Street again (no turns), and stay on Yonge
through Holland Landing for 5.6 km. Turn right on Cedar St. to
lagoons. If you get to Queensville Side Road you've gone about 1 km
past Cedar St. Do not block locked entrance to lagoons. Also do not
climb the new gate. Last year the old gate was broken off its hinges
because people climbed it. Go to small opening at left of gate to old
road. Walk 15 steps to first orange stake. Walk short distance past
large white pine to lagoon road. Wear long pants because of poison
ivy. Last summer I met York Region staff at the lagoons several
times. They were always friendly and even looked through the scope.
Good behaviour will ensure access continues.
Ron Pittaway
Minden and Toronto ON
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