Hi All, During a walk around the constructed wetlands in Mitchell today we (myself and Wayne Parnall) had a wonderful RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. This bird was working along the spit of land that runs through the middle of the cell right behind the parking lot. It's the first individual of this species this season at Mitchell (at least that I'm aware of)
Shorebird habitat in this cell is excellent right now and numbers have increased today even over what I saw out there on Monday. We had a total of 10 different species...and at one point I had 5 different species in my scope view at the same time. Killdeer (50+) Semi-palmated Plover (3) Least Sandpiper (50+) - most right behind the parking lot and garden area...and also straight across on the south side of this cell Semi-palmated Sandpiper (2) Stilt Sandpiper (1) - well into pre-basic plumage Solitary Sandpiper (6) Pectoral Sandpiper (2) Lesser Yellowlegs (lots) Greater Yellowlegs (4) The SB Dowitchers that were around for the past few days appear to have moved on. Good birding! Dave Directions to Mitchell (West Perth) Wetlands: >From the East (Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, GTA) - take Hwy 8 thru Stratford heading west to first lights in Mitchell (Wellington St) and turn left (south) and continue till you hit the "T" intersection at the ball diamond. Lagoon cells are straight back behind the ball diamond and soccer fields and the sewage treatment plant. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >From the London area....take Hwy 23 into Mitchell from the south and just after you pass the "Welcome to Mitchell" sign...watch for Frank St...go right on Frank St and head down over the bridge till you get to the ball diamond (will be on your right). Again...the cells are behind the ball diamond and soccer fields. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >From Southampton area....take Hwy 21, to Goderich and then Hwy 8 to Clinton and down to Mitchell, turn south on Hwy 23 to Frank St. and turn left on Frank St. and head over the bridge to the ball diamonds (which will be on your right). You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. _______________________________________________ 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/
