Hey Folks,
Just a quick note to provide those interested with an update on the status of
shorebirds at the West Perth Wetlands (Mitchell).
- Water levels in the shorebird cell right behind the parking area a vey good
right now and there are many good shorebirds in this cell. However, there is a
significant overgrowth of a certain aquatic plant that has flowered and made it
tough viewing especially right behind the parking lot. Your best best is to
move down to the east end of the cell and view everything from there.:
- 1 SB Dowitcher
- 30+ Killdeer
- 30+ Lesser Yellowlegs
- 1 Greater Yellowlegs
- 4 Semipalmated Sandpiper
- 5 Least Sandpiper
- 1 Semipalmated Plover
- 6 Pectoral Sandpiper
Other birds in this cell:
- 2 Green Heron (they love to sit on the MOTUS tower so keep an eye out
there for them)
- 2 Great Egret (NO wing tags)
- 4 Great Blue Heron
- 2 Sora
- 10+ Wood Duck
- 2 Green-winged Teal
- Mallard (lots)
- Canada Goose (lots)
Also watch for:
- 1 young Redtail
- a local family group of Bald Eagles (they fledged a couple of young this
season)
- 4 Eastern Kingbird (family group)
- 4 Orchard Oriole (family group)
- several warblers, vireos and pewee in the bushlot
-Water levels in the biggest cell in the back corner are still high because
that’s where I’ve been letting all the water from the shorebird cell flow into
so there’s not much edge for shorebirds.
- 15+ Black Duck
- 2 Blue-winged Teal
- Mallard (lots)
Water levels in the cell behind the plant are lower and have some good edge on
the western side (closest as you arrive at it):
- 2 Solitary Sandpiper
- 3 Spotted Sandpiper
- 10 Lesser Yellowlegs
Water levels in the main fenced in water overflow cell are dropping and there
is a bit of steeper edge but that is controlled by the plant so I have no means
of dropping it faster:
- 3 Spotted Sandpiper
- 3 Least Sandpiper
- 10 Killdeer
- 4 Lesser Yellowlegs
As for the “trek” to the sewage overflow cell... a naturalist group was in for
a visit yesterday and there’s now a passable path back to where you can view
into this cell but be forewarned it’s difficult terrain through a ton of
burdock and even once you’re there if you’re height challenged it’s hard to see
over into the cell. This cell is excellent right now for the peeps because of
the hard pad that has formed and the birds are scrambling around on it.
- 5 Pectoral Sandpiper
- 7 Least Sandpiper
- 2 Spotted Sandpiper
Numbers of shorebirds have increased quite a bit just in the past few days and
I expect them to increase nicely in the coming week.
Good luck and good birding to those who venture out.
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.
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