Hey folks, I was out to the WPW this afternoon and there were actually quite a few shorebirds around…. with some nice highlights.
WILSON’S PHALAROPE — 1 bird feeding in amongst the ducks out in the middle of the NE cell — ad. m? basic plumage STILT SANDPIPER — 4 birds -- 3 ad and 1 very nice juvie S.B. DOWITCHER — 2 birds - both juvies feeding in with the Stilts and several LEYEs BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON — 1 bird - a HY youngster Lesser Yellowlegs (lots) Greater Yellowlegs (7) Spotted Sandpiper (6 mostly in the fenced in cell walking along the muddy edge) Killdeer (7) The water levels are still a bit high for peeps though there are a shallower spots where you might just find a few of them hanging out. Waterfowl numbers have climbed over the past few days…..lots of both Blue-winged and Green-winged along with Wood Ducks, Shovelers, Mallards, Am. Black Ducks, Am. Wigeon and a lone N. Pintail. Hope to see you out there and good birding! Dave NOTE: Make sure you go ALL the way around to the east of the wetlands complex BEHIND the processing plant to get where all the shorebirds are. (when u hit the fenced cell going east turn right and then at the corner of the fence turn left and head along to the east till you see the shorebirds on your left). The water level in this cell has remained near perfect for shorebirds and this will be where you will find the bulk of them. ALSO…. I’ve continued to keep the gates wide open to let water levels drop but Mother Nature continues to throw a wrench in things with too much rain. However, the cell right behind the parking lot IS finally showing signs of getting shallow enough for some of the yellowlegs to feed so hopefully this trend continues. Directions to West Perth Wetlands (Mitchell): >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. Wetland cells are straight back behind the ball diamond and soccer fields and the sewage treatment plant. >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. >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). Walk down the side of the soccer fields to the cells behind. _______________________________________________ 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
