I started the day up at Reesor's Pond in Markham hoping that the Wilson's Phalarope had decided to hang out for a few days before going off to wherever it is that Phalaropes go to in the summer. It seemed like a perfectly good place to spend the summer, as there were lots of other birds to keep it company. I found Swallows, lots of Mallards, a Great Blue Heron, Song Sparrows and my first Ontario Pied-billed Grebe. It was bird number 203 for my Ontario list this year. It's not an extensive list, as I am not chasing birds in Ontario that I have seen elsewhere in North America.
I ran into Wayne and Tim on their way out as I was walking in. They were just ending their 10 day Whimbrel Vigil having seen 5 more before they headed out. I asked about shore birds and they gave me a quick run down. As I was walking to the point I ran into a Spotted Sandpiper bouncing around on the path and up at the point just the Second Year King Eider, at first. As I rounded the tip, I caught sight of the White-rumped Sandpiper taking off from the rocks on the west side and got a good look at its distinct white rump as it rounded the hillside. On my way back around the tip, I chatted with another birder who was also looking for shore birds, but he moved on to the marina and missed the incoming flock of assorted shore birds about 5 minutes later. There were Dunlins and at least one Sanderling,(a new addition to my Ontario list), and at least two Semipalmated Sandpipers.
I hung out, took a few photos and then tried to find the other birder, but he was long gone. By then it was past time that I should have been heading to work. But I left with two new Big Year Birds, giving me a count of 371, just 29 away from 400 as I prepare for my Alaska adventure beginning Monday June 4.
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