The lagoons at Nonquon remain high with all the rain we’ve had, but tonight I saw the first southbound migrant shorebirds I’ve seen this fall. Three Lesser Yellowlegs and one Least Sandpiper joined the resident Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers.
Over 50 Black Terns, many Marsh Wrens, hundreds of swallows, a male Lesser Scaup and 3 male Ruddy Ducks hinted at nesting. Mallard, Hooded Merganser and Wood Ducks broods were a nice treat. A family of Trumpeter Swans and the Osprey nest rounded out a great evening walk. For the lepidopterists - lots of butterflies .. odonators – many dragonflies and allies ... for the herpetologists – Green and Gray Tree Frog and Snapping Turtles put on a show. And finally for the botanists – the flowers were in profusion and the evening light was conducive to some great photo opportunities. Please remember to close the gate behind if you go as it is not self-closing. How to Obtain a Nonquon Sewage Lagoon Permit Permits must be purchased in advance of entering the lagoons. Permits can be obtained from 605 Rossland Rd., Whitby, or at the Scugog Waste Transfer Station, 1623 Reach Street, Port Perry. An electronic version of the Nonquon Sewage Lagoon Birder Permit is available in PDF format at http://www.durham.ca/finance.asp?nr=/departments/finance/financeinside.htm. Nonquon Sewage Lagoon Birder Permits are available for $10 per permit. Cheques will only be accepted at Regional Headquarters. Payment by cash only at the Scugog Waste Transfer Station. Completed Applications should be forwarded to: Finance Department - Insurance & Risk Management, 605 Rossland Road E., Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 The lagoons are located one road north of the transfer site on Concession Rd. 8 [don't get confused as, despite the fact that these roads are both numbered "8", they are two different roads - one is a regional paved road, the other a dirt concession road.]. Access to the lagoons is from the east end of Conc. 8 only as the bridge is out west of the lagoons. Geoff Carpentier AVOCET NATURE SERVICES Contact me at: 905-852-2011 or [email protected] Visit my website: www.avocetnatureservices.com Specializing in Environmental & Natural History Surveys and Group & Personalized Guiding Services _______________________________________________ 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
