Sat 3/8 - 6.00am-9.30am. There was more water today, due to heavy rain and the
active cell behind the Plant is over-flowing into the shorebird cell. There
was, however 11 species of shorebird present, mostly in the "narrow" section
and particularly at the north end, close to the Treatment Plant. These include
Killdeer, 2 Semi-palmated Plover, a combined flock of 101 Least and
Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 WILSON'S
SNIPE (flew into Cell 2 at 9.00am but was feeding in the narrow section in the
fenced Cell), 2 Solitary Sandpiper, 14 Spotted Sandpiper, 1 STILT SANDPIPER,
and 1 Pectoral Sandpiper. Other birds of interest were 1 female ORCHARD ORIOLE
(at 6.55am in Cell 2, close to the fenced control gates), 1 faded BOBOLINK
(Cell2), 1 Adult GREEN HERON, which flew from Cell 3 to Cell 5 and back again,
presenting great views, 1 EASTERN MEADOWLARK, on the edge of the soil, close to
the parking lot and finally, 1 flyover BLACK TERN. The combined flock of
shorebirds was the most I have seen so far this Summer. Bright sun in the
early morning presents a real viewing challenge, so an afternoon visit may be
best. Directions:- from the east, follow Hwy 8 through Stratford, to the first
traffic lights in Mitchell. Turn LEFT onto Wellington Street and follow it to
Frank Street. Continue on the gravel road, past the Ball Diamond, to the
parking lot. From the west, follow Hwy 8 into Mitchell. At the bottom of the
hill, turn RIGHT onto Hwy 23 South. Turn LEFT onto Frank Street (the last
street on the left), over the bridge and up the hill. Turn RIGHT onto the
gravel road at the Ball Diamond and follow it to the parking lot. From the
South, follow Hwy 23 to Mitchell. Just past the blue "Mitchell" sign, turn
RIGHT onto Frank Street (at the 50 km/h sign) and proceed over the bridge to
the Ball Diamond. Turn RIGHT onto the gravel road and follow it to the parking
lot. Cell 2 is beside the parking lot, Cell 3 is to the east of the fenced Cell
an
d Cell 5 is the large Cell to the south-east. Eric Jeffery, St. Marys.
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