I haven't seen a posting today so I thought a quick update was in order. Around 7:30 this morning, Josh Vandermeulen saw the Smew flying east from the causeway at Long Point. He watched the bird land behind an island of cattails out on the Inner Bay. Scan as we might, no one was able to relocate the bird. But it seems to be hanging in, difficult as it may be to see.
While birding at Turkey Point at 2 pm today, I counted 145 Little Gulls in a flock of 400 Bonaparte's just off the beach. That's certainly the highest count I've had since a count of 266 of Port Rowan in November 1988. Directions to Long Point are: Hwy 59 south from the 401 (or Hwy 24 south from the 403 to Hwy 59 and then south) to the shore of Lake Erie. Travel past the flashing yellow light at the intersection of Front Rd. (into Port Rowan) and continue south to Lake Erie. Upon driving down onto the causeway, you enter the Big Creek NWA (marsh on both sides). You will cross the bridge over Big Creek and 1km south of this bridge you will see the parking lot for Big Creek NWA on the right. Park here or in a small parking area on the left 1 km south of this parking lot (on the north end of the Sandboy Marina parking lot. Best viewing of the Inner Bay is between these two lots which requires some walking. Please, please, please be very careful of traffic. Turkey Pt. is at the end of County Rd. 10/Turkey Pt Rd. heading south from Hwy 24 coming south from Simcoe. Ron Ridout [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
