There were several Pectoral Sandpipers (PESA) at Townsend Sewage
lagoons today (all adults at this time of year). (plus Bairds,
Spotted, Least, & Solitary Sandpipers. Lesser & Greater yellowlegs,
Green winged teal, Ruddy Duck, Wood Duck.)
Perhaps my most notable observation was the apparent pair-bonding
behaviour of two PESA.
I was watching one when another vocally announced its arrival and
landed beside my first bird. It approached the first without any
evident aggression. Rather they started an extended period of
display that I can only describe as friendly (to anthropomorphize).
Facing each other bill to bill they bobbed and weaved, necks up, down
and extended sideways, crouching, flattening; one bird with its wings
drooping at times. One moved a metre or so away and crouched as if
inviting copulation. This pair bonding (?) behaviour continued for
about 4 minutes and I was able to get many photographs. If you'd like
to see them please let me know privately.
Somewhat similarly ( but elsewhere in the same pond) 2 or 3 Greater
Yellowlegs became very agitated at my approach, flying close, calling
and clearly alarmed. Bob Curry & I saw similar (but even more
possessive, as I recall) GRYE territorial display at Windemere Ponds
Hamilton early in the fall migration several years ago.
I'd appreciate any comments or insights into either or both of these
behaviours. I only speculate that territorial / reproductive hormones
are still active &/or the daylight length is appropriate to stimulate
this activity.
Townsend sewage lagoons are located on Google Maps at
42.88565,-80.155907. Gates are not always open.
Peter Thoem
550 Hurd Ave.
Burlington, ON. L7S 1T1
905 681 6550
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
