As Tom Hince pointed out in his email the plover fields in Chatham-Kent
excelled today in terms of numbers and great looks at breeding plumaged
birds. We systematically searched for shore birds on the roads between the
Erieau onion fields and Stevenson Road west of Port Crewe including some
inland roads.
Our final tally for the day was 5,300 Black-bellied Plovers, 1000+ Dunlin,
250+ Ruddy Turnstone and 110 Short-billed Dowitchers. Although flocks
were scattered throughout the whole area the largest concentration was at
the location mentioned by Tom Hince. This congregation filled the
concession between Hwy 3 and Simpson Road along Askew Road and the
concession north of Simpson as well. Total plovers in this area were 2200
individuals. More shorebirds could be seen from Simpson which is the first
east-west concession north of Hwy 3 than from Hwy 3. A suggested route to
see the highest concentrations and get away from traffic if you are coming
from Wheatley is to go north from Hwy 3 on Stevenson Rd. Turn right on
Simpson line and drive to Merlin Road looking at fields on both the north
and south sides of the road. Plovers were in dry and wet fields, ploughed
fields and fields not yet worked up. Turn right on Merlin and return to Hwy
3. If you are coming from Rondeau area drive the reverse route.
The Chatham-Kent plover fields are along Kent Rd 3 [formerly Hwy 3] about
mid way between Blenheim and Wheatley.
Dave Martin and Linda Wladarski
Harrietsville, ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
