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Nature Link

With Blake Mann

Mid-summer birding

Tuesday, July 22, 2003

One might think there is not much to see in migrating birds this time of year, but there are lots of opportunities. The best thing to do is seek out shorebirds on mudflats or at sewage lagoons. Shorebirds are known to be very early migrants, and in fact "fall migrants" begin appearing in mid June. These are essentially non-breeders that did not make it to the northern breeding grounds. A little later, failed nesters return early also.

About now, it is not uncommon to see about a dozen species at a suitable location such as a sewage lagoon. Blenheim is one such place. It is open to birders who obtain a free annual permit from the municipal office in downtown Blenheim. There is a locked gate, but you are given the combination with the permit. Blenheim has been famous over the years for many rarities. There are several sewage lagoons around the province that use a similar process.

When the sewage ponds are drawn down, shorebirds will be attracted to the mud or shallow water in search of food. Blenheim is excellent right now, with the back pond being almost dry, while the others have lots of edge. This past weekend I observed at least a dozen species at Blenheim.

There are other birds such as ducks and grebes to watch for at these locations also. Ducks are in the middle of their summer moult so they will all look similar. There are still lots of young ducks to watch for too.

Always watch and listen for other birds around you. While at Blenheim on Saturday, I heard a Bobwhite calling nearby. It was quite possibly a released bird since there are no known wild populations in that area.

On July 13, some friends came across some excellent birds while participating in the Rondeau butterfly count. At the lagoons, an American Avocet, a western shorebird, was in evidence. Not too far away, south of Charing Cross, they came across a couple of singing Sedge Wrens in a meadow. These are rare nesters in this area. While at the nearby landfill, they came across a couple of Dickcissels. This is a species that only shows up in the province as nesting every few years. Three years ago there was a big influx of them in the Blenheim area. There were also a few others around the province, including some I found (with Sedge Wrens also) along the Holt Line NE of Wallaceburg.

Migrating warblers will be showing up before the end of the month. In fact, the end of this week could reveal some. A few years ago I had a couple of Cape May Warblers in the yard on July 26! A few days later, a Blackburnian Warbler showed up. Autumn is just around the corner!

The attached photo is of a Least Sandpiper and three Dunlin at Rondeau.