Twitch to Mitchell

Well, I guess it wasn't your traditional twitch. My dad and I went to the West Perth Wetlands in search of one rarity, the Glossy Ibis, but in turn came across another rarity.

I was told last night that the Glossy Ibis flew off, but I was optimistic that it possibly had returned. So I convinced my dad to go, and we made the 45 minute drive to West Perth. When we got there, we were told almost right away that the ibis was nowhere to be seen (bummer), but there was a Yellow-headed Blackbird somewhere. The ibis forgotten, we began the search for the bird amongst the reeds.

The shorebird numbers were up from last time I came, and so was the species count (15, up from 10).

Both yellowlegs, Greater and Lesser, could be found. However, the Lesser Yellowlegs outnumbered the Greaters by about 22 to one!

Greater Yellowlegs (longer bill)

Lesser Yellowlegs (shorter bill)

Stilt Sandpipers were around in decent numbers, and I counted around eleven of them.

This Painted Turtle was crossing the path.

Pectoral Sandpiper numbers were also up.

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This Sanderling was associating with some Least Sandpipers and Killdeer in the fenced-in cell. On eBird, the Sanderling is flagged as rare in Perth. A noteworthy bird for sure.

There was a large group of American Golden-Plovers that had come in.

There were a couple Short-billed Dowitchers present.

Two Wilson's Snipe were working the reed beds.

While I was looking at the dowitchers, my dad said that he had found a "black bird with a yellow chest". Soon after, we were both looking at a female Yellow-headed Blackbird.

She soon disappeared into the reeds, and we were unable to relocate her.

Just as we were about to leave, another birder told me about an American Bittern in the far cell. After he patiently showed me where it was (those bitterns are hard to find!), he went on to try to find the Yellow-headed, leaving just me and the bittern.

After watching it awhile, I saw it catch a frog.

Then it walked out into the open, the first time I've seen a bittern do that.

It then settled down into a clump of reeds, which is where I left it.

While I may have missed the Glossy Ibis, the other rarities I saw made up for it. If the year continues the way it is going, I'm sure I'll have another chance at seeing the ibis. Great outing!

West Perth Shorebirds

A couple days ago, I checked out the Mitchell Sewage Lagoons/West Perth Wetlands in Perth County. This location is known for being great for shorebirds, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. Over the years, more than 30 species of shorebirds have been spotted there.

Unlike last year, the water levels were quite high, making some of the cells perfect for shorebirds and other desolate of them.

There was quite the variety of shorebirds, and I ended up with 10 species. Not an earth-shattering number, but still impressive given the location and how some common species (Semipalmated Plover) were absent.

Killdeer and Lesser Yellowlegs were the most common.

Peeps such as Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers could be found in decent numbers as well.

Solitary Sandpipers weren't very solitary and I found about 5 throughout the cells.

I found only one Stilt Sandpiper, but I'll take it because they are uncommon. Stilt Sandpipers are more common fall migrants than springtime migrants. Finding one in spring is a real treat, and the one that was found when I was at Hillman got some of the shorebird enthusiasts excited. I'm not sure if it stuck around for anyone to add to their Festival of Birds list though.

There were a few Pectoral, Greater Yellowlegs, and Spotted Sandpipers working the shoreline. My records show that they were the first Pectoral Sandpipers that I've seen this year!

Pectoral

The best shorebird species seen were two White-rumped Sandpipers. White-rumps are sought after shorebirds that are hard to get if you aren't in the right place at the right time. They are a bit easier to find in the fall than the spring, much like the Stilt Sandpiper. This year has thus far proven to be a good year for them. I only saw them in the scope, so I was unable to get a photo.

A few other birds can be found around cells.

Green Heron

Red-tailed Hawk

Chimney Swift

Song Sparrow

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow Warbler

One bird that I am surprised I missed is Savannah Sparrow. They are almost guaranteed!

There were a few other things around that I didn't bother getting any photos of such as Monarchs, Viceroys, Painted Ladies, Common Whitetails, and Common Green Darners. I have found CGD pretty scarce this year, and I have seen more in the past few days than so far this entire year!

Despite the lack of photographs, it was a very successful outing and I can't wait to do some more shorebirding. Fall migration is upon us!

A Moment in Mitchell

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.

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.

Killdeer were the second most numerous shorebird.

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!