Forty-four species of birds in 2 hours this morning including many amazing numbers & interesting species! Most amazing were many large flocks of Bobolinks leaving the Pelee marsh headed inexplicably south, conservatively estimated at 1100 birds! Nine species of shorebirds including 6 Buff-breasted Sandpipers (reported yesterday in an onion field just north of this one) and a late fly-over, calling Upland Sandpiper. Two Sandhill Cranes flew over the marsh bugling & two Merlins strafed first the ditch along Mersea E, then the shorebird flock with the "Buffies".
Just before the entrance to Point Pelee National Park, turn left on Mersea Rd E. Follow this narrow paved road to the end at Mersea Rd. 19 where there is a large gravel pull-out. I walk the grassy dyke east from this point to the corner 1.3 km. away. Habitats include the Pelee marsh beyond the canal on the south, onion fields to the north, and scrubby trees along the dyke, itself. The dyke goes almost to the lakeshore where there are large cottonwoods. Mike Austin, Leamington _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
