Terrie Smith and I ventured out to Port Perry today [July 29th] to see how the migration was coming along. All of the lagoons were very high but the western most one provided some edge habitat. Shorebirds were expectedly limited.
Spotted Sandpiper [18A, 2J], Killdeer [1A], Lesser Yellowlegs [12A], Greater Yellowlegs [1U], Least Sandpiper [3A], Solitary Sandpiper [1U]. Other birds of interest included 37 Black Terns [AJ], 75+ Bonaparte's Gulls, families of Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teal, 3 Ruddy Ducks, Marsh Wrens in full song, and one Common Moorhen. Lots of Butterflies and Dragonflies/Damselflies to amuse were also found. Don't forget your access permit if you go. To obtain a permit, you must go in person [no proxies] to the Port Perry Waste Transfer Station, located at 1623 Reach Road, Port Perry. Go north of town on Hwy 12, to Regional Rd 8 [= Reach Road] and turn right [east] to the Transfer Station [on your left]. Stop at the gatehouse and you can buy your permit from Tuesday to Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. only. 905-985-7973. To reach the lagoons from here, back track to Hwy 12 and go north to the next street Concession 8 [don't be confused by the similarity in the names - it is a different road than Regional Road 8] and go east and follow it over a bridge and past a chain link fence to the second gate. The lock box to enter the lagoons is located at this gate. Geoff Carpentier Ajax, Ontario
