A Change In Plans

 Sunday did not look too promising weatherwise, and as usual we received some weekend rain.  I was not sure what to do, but was going to head down Wheatley/Hillman way.

However, last evening I received advanced word that a sandpiper, totally unexpected for Ontario, was found at Thedford Sewage Lagoons.  Soon after, official word was put out that James Holdsworth had discovered a Marsh Sandpiper!  A what?

My destination was going to be Thedford on Sunday, as it was for hundreds of other birders.

I knew that sandpiper was certainly an Old World species, and that one has never been seen in Ontario.  Well, not even Canada or the interior or eastern USA!

Normally, Thedford is a lagoon where there is No Trespassing, but wheels were put in motion for the public to gain access.  Many thanks goes out to Jeff Skevington and OFO and the Municipality of Lambton Shores to let birders in.  This was a bird that nobody could miss!

Not sleeping well overnight, I left early this morning and drove through the driving rain to Thedford and sat in the car for almost an hour.  Just after arrival, the rain let up and eventually stopped, thankfully!

At 8 a.m. we all headed into the complex to see if the Marsh Sandpiper was still present.  Initially it was not seen, but soon it was spotted at the far side of the lagoon.  Phew!!  Too distant for my camera though.

It was not close, but certainly stood out with its paler appearance and long thin bill.  It is similar to the Lesser Yellowlegs, but is indeed different.  The long white stripe down the back in flight is very distinctive.

Three Trumpeter Swans were present as well.  At least one had a yellow lore, which is rare.

Hundreds of birders eventually saw the bird. I stayed well over 2h and it was a great social event as well.

Thedford lagoons is indeed a hotspot and has been proven over the years.  Too bad there is not some sort of deal for public access.

The Marsh Sandpiper is an Eurasian species which is common in its breeding range in Eastern Europe and into Asia.  It is a long distance migrant that travels to Africa, India, Australia and beyond.

There as some records in the Aleutian islands of Alaska, and California, but none east of there.  What a record!

Migration has been rather slow lately with the prevailing east winds and cold temps.  Some decent birds have been found, but numbers are low overall.  We are certainly primed for a big influx soon.

Veery

Yesterday at Rondeau it was slim pickings.  There were more snakes than birds in some areas!

Palm Warbler

Highlight was a Kentucky Warbler and a Yellow-breasted Chat, both found by the party!  Nobody else got on the Kentucky, but several did get that chunky skulker called a Yellow-breasted Chat.  It took me standing in one area for a half hour before it came out to reveal itself.

On to another week.  It is May!