Hi again Everyone, The peep that has been present at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons in Chatham-Kent was still present this morning at 11:00. It was on the east shore of the second pond on the right with 17 dunlin and 3 killdeer. Yesterday, Mike Bouman did a 4 hour photo-shoot with it and his excellent pictures seem to confirm that the bird is indeed a *western sandpiper*, not a semipalmated (the more likely of the two at this time of year). His photos can be viewed on eBird at http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32661168 Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for assistance in the identification of this tricky plumaged bird. If anyone has any further thoughts or opinions, I would gladly welcome them. This has certainly been a learning experience!
A permit is required to go into the lagoons. There are a number of methods to obtain the permit. 1) By Email: Send your name; address; phone #; and request to Candy McGuigan, Customer Service Rep. at: [email protected] She will email your permit as a PDF. Print it off, sign, and keep with you. Send a copy back to Candy for their files. [She asks that you mention if this is a renewal permit] 2) In Person: Visit the Municipal Service Centre downtown Blenheim 8:30am---4:30pm, Mon. to Fri. 35 Talbot St. West [in the Post Office building ] 3) By Mail: Blenheim Municipal Service Centre P.O.Box 2128, Blenheim,On., N0P 1A0 4) By Fax or Phone: ---------------------------------------------------------- Fax : 519-676-0244 ---------------------------------------------------------- Phone : 519-676-5405 DIRECTIONS TO THE LAGOON SITE: Blenheim is on #3 Hwy [Talbot Rd. ] in Chatham-Kent. Take # 3 Hwy West out of Blenheim, about 1 km. You will see a car wash at the corner of Lagoon Rd., turn right [ North]. Go about 1/2 km. and you will see a small locked gate [ see below]. Enter at this gate ONLY. For those coming by #401. Take interchange #90-which is #40 Hwy North & Communication Rd. South. Travel South, towards Blenheim, a few km. Just as you reach the outskirts of Blenheim, you will see a "Sobey's " Grocery store. It is at the corner of Allison Rd. Turn right On Allison and travel 2.9 km. This will take you to Lagoon Rd., Turn left on Lagoon Rd. Where you will see the lagoon property and the small gate [ not the large gate]. Entry is by combination lock. Candy will give you the #'s with your Permit. Do not pass #'s on to other people. NOTE: Please park on the lagoon side of the road only. Close and latch gate behind you when entered. LOCK gate when leaving! (I have arrived there seeing the gate wide open many times!!) This is a privilege so please be respectful. Steve Charbonneau Erie Beach in Chatham-Kent _______________________________________________ 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
