Eight participants today were not disappointed. We saw 32 species, including our target birds, *Snow Geese* and had a few surprises along the way. We started on Lafleche Rd on the extensive sod farm but did not have any geese on the ground. Less than a thousand flew by in several flocks under sullen sky so viewing conditions were poor at best. A couple of flocks of *Pipits* flew overhead while we watched.
We left and went to the Moose Creek lagoons which had three Snows visible over the banks and surprisingly 3 *Dunlins* and 3 *White-rumped Sandpipers*. No access and no flocks of geese but in a short time *Snows* and *Canadas* began to appear overhead. We were treated to thousands milling about with many coming in to land on the water. The sun broke through briefly giving us great views. A short trip down the adjacent recreation trail netted us a late *Least Flycatcher* seen almost at eye level at fairly close range but there were only a few other resident woodland species. Leaving there we headed to the farmland north of Hwy 417 in the St. Rose-St. Isidore area. We had rain for the next 2 hours. Still, we added numerous hawks: 4 *Rough-legged*, 1 *Red-tailed*, 2 *Harriers*, 1 *Kestrel* and 1 *Sharp-shinned* that flew over my car (I was the only observer). We also had a flock of over 100 *Snow* *Buntings*, the first of the season for most. Continuing to the road beside St. Isidore lagoons, we stopped for a large flock of *Snow* *Geese* on ploughed fields at a nice distance, bringing our day total to about 12,000. We scoped for excellent ground observation. We also had a Harrier on an adjacent fencepost. Getting fairly drenched we headed back stopping at puddles in a field on Concession 19. There we had 13 *Black-bellied Plovers* and 16 *Dunlins*. After saying our goodbyes, we stopped 20 seconds later for a *Kestrel* on a line and it stayed long enough for photos out of the cars. Thinking that was it we were heading home but stopped another 30 seconds later for gulls in a puddle in a field at fairly close range – mostly *Herring* and a few *Ring-billed* but there were 10 *Lesser* *Black-backed*. Within sight of our exit road in another couple of minutes we had a *Harrier* and a *Rough-legged* not far away. That was finally the end. Thanks to all that attended and endured the rain, for which we were well rewarded. That no doubt brought down our shorebirds. Brian Morin -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines To edit your membership settings visit the Birdnews setup page at: http://ontbirds.ca/mailman/listinfo/birdnews_ontbirds.ca. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
