Two weeks ago, on World Shorebirds Day (September 6, 2014), I was determined to explore a lake with sandy and muddy shores where we'd see shorebirds. We had inquired around for such a lake, preparing for Shorebirds Day. We wanted to find the perfect 'new' spot. We drove 90 km to a lake we heard had the nicest sandy shores in the region. We found the Lake. We did not find the so called sandy shores. We only saw 3 Loons. So we drove back. A total of 180 km; no shorebirds. We didn't even see a potentially good shore! When we arrived back in town, we had 15 minutes to spare so we went to Plan B; we decided to stop by the small beach at Porcupine Lake... I was NOT going back home without seeing a shorebird on World Shorebirds Day! As soon as I got out of the truck, I spotted it: there was a shorebird waiting for us… and the height of its legs made me realize it was one I had never seen before.
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| Stilt Sandpiper / Bécasseau à échasses Porcupine Lake (Sept 6, 2014) |
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| Stilt Sandpiper / Bécasseau à échasses Porcupine Lake (Sept 6, 2014) |
And to think Porcupine Lake is 2 km from my door! Finding this bird sure made me forget about the 180 birdless kilometres we drove that day. It was a new bird for Gary and I and for Porcupine Lake.
On September 12, we decided to go explore Hersey Lake. It's a small, pretty lake in a Conservation Area. Hersey Lake's shores are all sand and mud with swampy areas. We check it once in a while because it has enormous Shorebird potential. Unfortunately, there was nothing. The lake is surrounded by trails and it's so busy… it's becoming more and more like a dog park; there are always a dozen dogs and most of them aren't on leashes… which is not fun if you're a migrating shorebird in need of rest and food. I'm eventually going to just give up on that lake. Coming back from there, we decided to go for Plan B again; we stopped at good old Porcupine Lake and we got lucky again. We saw 2 new birds for Porcupine Lake.
A Red Knot… at first, I wasn't too sure what it was. And when I realized it was a Red Knot, I was so excited. Anyone who read anything on migrating Red Knots can't help being fascinated by the bird. It can fly up to 15,000 km during Spring and then again in Fall. (Close to 30, 000 km every year). If you're not impressed, just look up Moonbird (B95). I rest my case. I feel lucky to have had a chance to stand so close to a miracle of nature!
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| Red Knot / Bécasseau maubèche Porcupine Lake (Sept 12, 2014) |
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| Red Knot about to be flushed by a cyclist. |
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| Red Knot - Porcupine Lake (Sept 12, 2014) |
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| Red Knot - Porcupine Lake (Sept 12, 2014) |
We were still watching the Red Knot at a fair distance when Gary spotted another bird nearby. I put my binoculars on the bird and realized it was a Ruddy Turnstone. Another new bird for Gary and I, and for Porcupine Lake; 2 life birds in one evening. At this point, the only way we could have more luck is if they would both come near us and pose together…hmmmm
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| Ruddy Turnstone and Red Knot Porcupine Lake (Sept 12, 2014) |
On September 18, we went back to Porcupine Lake (we forget Plan A and go straight to Plan B) and we spotted this Semipalmated Plover feeding off the small beach at White Waterfront area. It was hopping on one leg and upon closer look, I realized that the poor thing was missing its left leg.
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| Semipalmated Plover / Pluvier semipalmé Porcupine Lake (Sept 18, 2014) |
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| Ruddy Turnstone / Tournepierre à collier Porcupine Lake (Sept 18, 2014) |
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