Hello Ontbirds people, Today (Aug. 22) from 9:00 - 12:30, we observed an unprecented number of Baird's Sandpipers at both Shirleys Bay and the large pond on the east side of Moodie Dr. south of the Trail Rd. Landfill. At Shirleys Bay we counted 22 Baird's Sandpipers (all juveniles), and at least 27 at the Moodie Dr. pond. Additionally, 4 Baird's were found later in the afternoon at the small ponds in the vicinity of March Valley and Klondike Rds. This species is a low-density passage migrant in the fall in eastern Ontario. Other recent postings to ONTBIRDS indicate that a precipitation of this species has occurred in the last day or two elsewhere in the province as well. It will be interesting to hear about other reports of numbers of this species in the days to come.
The number and diversity of shorebirds at Shirleys Bay continues to change daily since Aug. 18. Numbers noted today are as follows: Black-bellied Plover - 1 (adult) Semipalmated Plover - 10-12 Killdeer - ~10 Greater Yellowlegs - 5 (mostly adults) Lesser Yellowlegs - 30 (approx. equal #'s adults & juveniles) Solitary Sandpiper - 1 Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Red Knot - 1 adult basic Semipalmated Sandpiper - 10 -20 (mostly juveniles) Least Sandpiper - 60 -70 (mostly juveniles) Baird's Sandpiper - 22 (all juveniles)...and MORE at above-mentioned locations! Pectoral Sandpiper - 8 (mixed bag of adults & juveniles) Wilson's Snipe - 10 DIRECTIONS: SHIRLEYS BAY: You must obtain permission from the DND Range Control Office to access the causeway. Call (613) 991-5740. Take Hwy 417 west to exit 134 (Moodie Dr.). Go north on Moodie to Carling Ave. Turn left (west) on Carling, and look for the large sign on your right at Rifle Rd. indicating the DND Connaught Firing Range. Proceed north on Rifle Rd. until the parking lot. Walk west along Shirley Blvd. beyond the large gate, and look for the entrance to the trail into the woods which is marked by two 'do not enter' signs...(if you have obtained permission, you may of course enter!). Walk the path through the woods (which can also be good for songbirds), and you will arrive at the excellent mud-flats at the base of the causeway. POND ON MOODIE DRIVE: >From Hwy 417 take Hwy 416 south to exit 66 (Fallowfield Rd). Turn right (west) on Fallowfield and then south on Moodie Dr. Proceed south on Moodie past Trail Rd. and look for a large pond on your left. Please do not cross the fence, as this is private property. The pond may be viewed from the road. Good "Bairding" ! Chris Lewis & Bob Bracken Ottawa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
