Shorebirds galore!

 Tis the season when shorebirds are probably at their peak numbers, as they make their way southward. They are always looking for places to fatten up so as to continue their journey, and sewage lagoons are high on their preferred sites when the water levels allow for shallow feeding. Such is the case right now at places like the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons.

Birders and bird photographers have been fortunate that these lagoons have been accessible for about 4 decades or so, with a permit.

I've been there a couple of times in the last few days, and there are always other birders there, for good reason. The diversity of shorebirds is quite good. With a bit of patience, one can get 15 species of shorebirds or more in a single visit. 

Here are some of the less common ones I've been able to photograph recently. 

Certainly one of the highlight species is up to three American Avocets, not quite as colourful as when they are in their breeding plumage, but very striking and distinctive nonetheless.

Red Knot is quite a rarity. In fact it is legally Endangered. This one is in its non-breeding plumage, so does not show the red an adult would have shown earlier in the season. It has been present for several days, and is one of the reasons so many birders have been around. It is fairly large and chunky, but can easily be missed, as some have found out. It took me at least a couple of visits in late August before finally seeing it.

Lesser Yellowlegs are fairly abundant now.....

...unlike its larger cousin, the Greater Yellowlegs, where only a handful are present. This one looks a little bedraggled compared to some.

This Red-necked Phalarope has been a crowd-pleaser as well as it is not common. In fact it is considered 'Special Concern' in Ontario due to its rarity.

Related to the Red-necked Phalarope is the larger Wilson's Phalarope, shown next. It is more of a western species, but fairly regular both spring and fall. In fact has even nested at these lagoons in the past.

Stilt Sandpiper, next, with its slightly droopy bill, is also fairly regular both spring and fall......

.....as are Short-billed Dowitchers. The stage of them changing to autumn plumage can vary, as these two birds show.

And finally, for this post, is White-rumped Sandpiper. It is a regular but uncommon migrant. It is a bit larger than the similar looking and much more common Semipalmated Sandpiper. A couple of key characteristics to look for are the slightly longer wings, which at rest as in this one, extend a bit beyond the tail, and in good light and a close look, there is almost always a bit of pale orange at the base of the lower mandible.

The next post may feature late summer orchids, which I have been on a successful hunt for. The photo at the top will give you an idea of some success I have had!

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