Hi Ontbirders, I checked the beach between Beach 2-4 quickly this morning and was unable to find either the Western or the Long-billed Dowitcher (or the Baird’s or Golden Plover) that were present yesterday. There was a bird that in my estimation was a Semipalmated Sandpiper that was being identified as the Western by some, but the Western that has been present the past few days is a very long billed individual and is delightfully obvious. Shorebirds frequently change out between Gull Island and the mainland through the day so the rarities may yet appear as the day goes on. Shorebirds present between 8-9 am included Killdeer (1), Semi Plover (30), Sanderling (12), Least (4), Semi Sandpiper (6).
A fish school offshore was attracting lots of cormorants, a few RB Merganser and a Common Tern. A first winter Bald eagle flew out to High Bluff Is. and a Merlin bombed up the beach. Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is south of Brighton and is well signed from both Hwy 401 or Hwy 2. I would suggest parking at Beach 2 and walking south along the shoreline. The shorebirds are very tame but are being flushed a lot by birders who keep pushing their comfort distance or are moving too fast. I find if you move slowly you can usually get quite close. Cheers, Doug McRae Doug McRae P.O. Box 3010 Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C _______________________________________________ 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
