Further to the previous post, here are the details of my trip: Thanks to Alf Rider's post about the YH Blackbird, made the trip today to take a look. Was not successful in a brief search for the blackbird; however, the trip was not in vain. Conditions were good for shorebirds. The following were observed from 2-245pm in the first cell. I do not have a scope, so i did not attempt to count or ID all the birds (below are the highlights observed with binoculars and a lens). This spot would certainly benefit from further study if the rains don't flood it.
1 HUDSONIAN GODWIT 4 black-bellied plovers 8 dowitcher sp, in various stages of molt including one still showing breeding colours. I am no expert, but i suspect at least 1 of these is a long-billed dowitcher. 1 solitary sandpiper 6 spotted sandpiper several pectoral sandpipers several baird's sandpipers many least sandpiper many semi-palmated sandpiper many lesser yellowlegs, and at least a few greater many many Killdeer 2 northern shovelers dozens of blue-winged and green-winged teals (and very few mallards). 12 Young bobolink in various stages of molt. 1 least flycatcher 1 black-billed cuckoo (calling, at eye level....10 ft away!) 1 great blue heron 1 Osprey which circled and put the shorebirds up. 1 red-winged blackbird if you want to judge the plovers, peeps and dowitchers for yourself...some shots posted here: http://mustap.smugmug.com/gallery/13435933_3JKnH#977741242_JSF98 Location: Lagoons off Mollard Drive just outside of Grand Bend. Happy Birding, Peeter Musta _______________________________________________ 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/
