>From Tim Mccarthy via Ontbirds Hello Whimbrel Fans
I am very pleased to announce what we believe is a new discovery about the behaviour of our Whimbrels, activity which has been suspected for some time but yesterday, may 25, was proven by observation. The area at the foot of Htydro Road, off Lakeshore Blvd. in Mississauga termed the OPG Lands by municipal planner types includes a substantial jetty constructed of iron boat hulks sunk and filled with concrete. The whole east side of that jetty is clearly visible with a 20 x telescope from the pier at Marie Curtis Park which straddles the border between Etobicoke and Mississauga south of Lakeshore Blvd. Flocks of Whimbrel were cirling back and forth all day. Around 12.30 a small flock of around 100 birds began to circle the OPG jetty. With each gyration over the jetty a few birds would drop out of the flock and land on the starboard side of one of the hulks. Eventually we had around 50 birds do this, while the other 50 flew off. The jetty was also occupied by gulls, cormorants and as we watched, 50 or so Dunlin. Up until recently it was believed by mostpeople that Whimbrels flew more or less non-stop from Chesapeake to Hudson's Bay. Now that we are discovering more and more resting sites we must endeavour even more to protect these birds. See you bright and early, well, early anyway, tomorrow back at Sam Smith Park - the hotbed of Whimbrel watching. Tim _______________________________________________ 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
