Arrived at Mitchell wetlands at 8, this Saturday morning, stayed until 10. First thing, a juv. Ruddy Turnstone was seen briefly. The bird took off with a circling panicked flock and could not be found again.
In the midst of the usual assortment of shorebirds, 2 juv. Short-billed Dowitchers, feeding and always coming back to the same spot after the numerous flights. There was an accipiter darting in and out of the trees and flushing the shorebirds many times, with some not returning. As well, in the n-e corner of that same cell, one juv. Red-Necked Phalarope. Usual assortment: Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated, Least, and Baird's Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpiper. Also saw several Bobolinks. 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. Paolo Viola _______________________________________________ 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/
