I felt like going to the West Perth Wetlands in Mitchell, so that's what I did yesterday afternoon.
When I got there, I was surprised to see that it was very dry. Last year this area was covered in water.
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| I saw a Green-winged Teal in this area last year. |
Shorebirds weren't around in as large numbers like last year, aside from the Killdeer and Lesser Yellowlegs.
Last year's eBird checklist: August 25, 2015
Yesterday's eBird checklist: August 6, 2016
Interestedly, I saw the same shorebird species as last year, despite the lower water levels.
Lesser Yellowlegs outnumbered the larger Greater 6 to 1.
I managed to find a juvenile with it's parent.
Semi-palmated Plovers look sort of like small Killdeer. I saw a total of four.
Comparison of the two species...Killdeer on the right and Semi-palmated on the left.
Least Sandpipers were the most common peep (a small shorebird). A couple Pectoral and Semi-palmated Sandpipers could be found with them.
Similar to the yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers were around as well.
Butterflies included Orange Sulphurs, Cabbage Whites, Black Swallowtails, and Monarchs.
I didn't focus too much on botany, but here's some Chicory!
Other birds included Goldfinch, Northern Flicker, Wood Duck, and Green-winged Teal.
I can't wait for shorebird migration to really pick-up!
