Shorebirds are teeming in the Cobourg this morning, There are between 1-2000 Dunlin, with (at least) 14 Short-billed Dowitchers, 5 Red Knot, 10 Ruddy Turnstone, 5 Sanderling and scattered 'peeps' - all I could be sure of were Semipalmated Sandpipers. A Whimbel also flew over.
Other birds present included 2 Bufflehead, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, a juv. Great Black Backed Gull and an adult Lesser Black-back. Richard Pope just 'phoned and added a breeding plumage Baird's Sandpiper, and 2-3 more Whimbrel! Birds get down out of sight on the south side of the breakwall, so there could well be more seen later, as they continue to move around. Best viewing is from the east pier, but you need a 'scope, as the largest numbers (and variety) are along the south breakwall, although there were also numbers along the east side of the pier itself, just down from the lighthouse. it's COLD! Inside the harbour there are flocks of (mainly) Dunlin along the west shoreline, which are very active. The east pier is at the foot of Division Street. From Hwy. 401 take the eastern (474) exit to Cobourg, on to Division St. and drive south to the harbour. Clive Goodwin _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
