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Just a little addendum to Dave Brown's GOOD NEWS / BAD NEWS about West Perth
Wetlands.
The lack of rain has meant that there's more shorebird habitat than normal
developing along the edges of the big southeast and northeast cells --
balancing out the BAD news somewhat. These areas have been quite productive
over the past week or so...
Jarmo
Hi folks,
I went out to check on the wetlands late yesterday afternoon and there’s good
news and bad news.
The GOOD news is that the water level in the main shorebird cell behind the
parking area is nearly perfect and there are a good number of shorebirds that
have arrived over the past week.
Best bird of the day ... a nice SB Dowitcher still in breeding colours with all
that wonderful patterning. It was actively feeding in the shorebird cell with
a number of Lesser Yellowlegs and I then watched it preening for several
minutes.
Lesser Yellowlegs (40+)
Killdeer (30+)
Common Snipe (2)
Least Sandpiper (20+)
Spotted Sandpiper (2)
The BAD news is that the fenced in cell is still full of water and since we
don’t control the inflow to that cell (only the sewage plant does) it may
remain that way for a time yet. However, there is some edge around it and I did
note some Killdeer in there so other shorebirds may be found along this edge.
And MORE BAD news ... our pump has decided to breakdown (AGAIN) and with the
driest June in over a decade and the continued lack of rain the shorebird cell
is evaporating very quickly and is at risk of drying out completely.
So....lets hope for some decent rain in the very near future.
Good birding!
Dave
Directions to West Perth Wetlands:
>From the East (Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, GTA) - take Hwy 8 thru
Stratford heading west to first lights in Mitchell (Wellington St) and
turn left (south) and continue till you hit the "T" intersection at the
ball diamond. Lagoon cells are straight back behind the ball diamond
and soccer fields and the sewage treatment plant. You can go straight ahead
on the gravel and park next to the berm.
>From the London area....take Hwy 23 into Mitchell from the south and
just after you pass the "Welcome to Mitchell" sign...watch for Frank
St...go right on Frank St and head down over the bridge till you get to
the ball diamond (will be on your right). Again...the cells are behind
the ball diamond and soccer fields. You can go straight ahead
on the gravel and park next to the berm.
>From Southampton area....take Hwy 21, to Goderich and then Hwy 8 to
Clinton and down to Mitchell, turn south on Hwy 23 to Frank St. and turn
left on Frank St. and head over the bridge to the ball diamonds (which
will be on your right). You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park
next to the berm.
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