Hello Ontbirds people, Today 26 July we (Bob Cermak, Ron Curtis, Bernie Ladouceur, Kim Zbitnew & I) birded the Winchester, St. Albert & Embrun sewage lagoons. Although shorebird habitat was marginal in all of these locations, we did find 12 spp. including our #1 highlight - an ADULT LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, molting but still in very nice plumage. It was seen (and heard) flying and foraging, at close range in the northeast cell of the St. Albert lagoons, several times from approx. noon - 1:00 pm. This species is quite rare for the Ottawa area in summer.
Other shorebirds observed today (collectively among all 3 lagoons) were: Semipalmated Plover (1), Killdeer (a few), Greater Yellowlegs (a couple), Lesser Yellowlegs (maybe a dozen), Spotted Sandpiper (several), Upland Sandpiper (1), Sanderling (1 molting adult), Semipalmated Sandpiper (~ 25), Least Sandpiper (~15), Pectoral Sandpiper (1), Wilson's Snipe (1). DIRECTIONS (from Ottawa): ST. ALBERT: Take Hwy 417 east to exit #79 (Crysler / Limoges) and follow County Rd. #5 south to #7 (also called Rte 900), then follow #7 east towards the village of St. Albert. The lagoons are on the south side of #7 before you reach St. Albert. If you miss the lagoons and end up in the village instead - don't miss a visit to the famous St. Albert Cheese factory ! EMBRUN: Take the same route as above, however along Cty Rd. #5 look for Rte 400 on the west side, shortly after the bridge over the Castor River. Follow Rte 400 to the lagoons which are "marked" by a lone old White Pine. WINCHESTER: There are many ways to get here; none are the "best" in terms of speed or directness. The lagoons are located along Licsumbe Rd. northeast of the town of Winchester. Good summer birds to y'all (and hopefully many more to come!) Chris Lewis Ottawa, ON [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
