Hi folks, I went out to check on the wetlands late yesterday afternoon and there’s good news and bad news.
The GOOD news is that the water level in the main shorebird cell behind the parking area is nearly perfect and there are a good number of shorebirds that have arrived over the past week. Best bird of the day ... a nice SB Dowitcher still in breeding colours with all that wonderful patterning. It was actively feeding in the shorebird cell with a number of Lesser Yellowlegs and I then watched it preening for several minutes. Lesser Yellowlegs (40+) Killdeer (30+) Common Snipe (2) Least Sandpiper (20+) Spotted Sandpiper (2) The BAD news is that the fenced in cell is still full of water and since we don’t control the inflow to that cell (only the sewage plant does) it may remain that way for a time yet. However, there is some edge around it and I did note some Killdeer in there so other shorebirds may be found along this edge. And MORE BAD news ... our pump has decided to breakdown (AGAIN) and with the driest June in over a decade and the continued lack of rain the shorebird cell is evaporating very quickly and is at risk of drying out completely. So....lets hope for some decent rain in the very near future. Good birding! Dave Directions to West Perth Wetlands: >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. Lagoon cells are straight back behind the ball diamond and soccer fields and the sewage treatment plant. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >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. You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. >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). You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park next to the berm. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
