This morning shortly after I arrived at the lagoons at 9:50am, I spotted a Western Sandpiper foraging alongside a Least Sandpiper. At a scanning glance I presumed it was a SemipSand due to larger size and dark legs, but I quickly noticed the extra long bill, and rufous cheek, top of head, and scapulars. After some research I am sure of the species identity and as for age, I believe (could be wrong) it was a worn adult just starting its molt. It soon flew away with the other shorebirds it was with, and despite being there over 2hrs I could not relocate this bird in the 300odd individual shorebirds there.
Also of note was a single Baird's Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, 3Short-b dowitchers, and multiple Stilt Sandpipers. The first cell has great shorebird habitat right now. Directions: >From hw 402, take south exit onto Navoo Rd / hw79, drive straight through >watford, Churchill Line should be first country road past watford, turn right >onto it. The entrance to the lagoons is about 2km west when you turn onto >Churchill. WARNING: Gate to lagoons is usually closed, and a 800m walk is required to get to the lagoons from Churchill Line. Good Birding and Good Luck! Sean M. Jenniskens _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
