Wednesday, March 28, 2012

March 23, 2012 Long-billed Dowitcher in eastern Ontario

The recent heat wave to hit eastern Ontario brought with it a number of very early arrivals including a Long-billed Dowitcher just east of Ottawa along Bearbrook Creek off Frank Kenny road. The dowitcher was first observed on March 21st and thought to be a Short-billed Dowitcher. After researching migration data on both short-billed and long-billed is was determined to likely be a Long-billed Dowitcher. The bird wasn't observed on March 22nd but was relocated on March 23rd. It was photographed and studied well and is the first record for March in Ontario with the previous record early date,  April 4th. There was also a Long-billed Dowitcher observed on March 22nd near Hillsman Marsh in southern Ontario and a  dowitcher reported in upper New York state. Another interesting observation was of a  Plegadis (Glossy/White-faced) Ibis on March 23rd  Presqu'ile  Provincial Park. This is another record early date  for any ibis in Ontario. Unfortunately the ibis wasn't relocated.

No comments: