On Sunday and today, an adult LITTLE GULL was with the large flock of BONAPARTE'S GULLS around Gull Island, a flock that one observer estimated after a partial count at close to five hundred birds on Sunday. When can we expect a BLACK-HEADED GULL to show up with them? BARRED OWLS continue to be seen here and there.

An estimated 2,000 REDHEADS represented almost a 4,000% increase from December 26 to 27. By December 29, that number had decreased to fewer than a dozen as the bay had mostly frozen over. Even by today, with lots of open water in the bay, only a few dozen had returned.

---------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Phil Waggett Observers: Cody Law, Colin Horstead, Derek Lyon, Jennifer Lyon, Sandy Darling, Tom Thomas Visitors: Our annual Open House attracted a crowd estimated

A one-day estimate of 5000 at Longridge was made in the late 1970s before the decline. Sanderling: 22 fading and molting adults on 18 July. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1095 adults (no juveniles) on 22 July. Least Sandpiper: first juvenile on 17 July. 80 (1/2 juveniles) on 20 July. White-rumped Sandpiper: 109 molting adults on 22 July.

On the following two days, one or two of the former were in Popham Bay and an estimated 60 of the latter were spread out along the waterfront. Hundreds of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS have suddenly re-appeared.

Unfortunately, most of the diving ducks, estimated at over ten thousand, remain far off shore. When viewing conditions are good, the majority can be identified with spotting scopes as REDHEADS, GREATER SCAUP, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. SURF, WHITE-WINGED, and BLACK SCOTERS have also been seen.

In the Long Point area both on Inner Bay opposite Big Creek Marsh, over the marsh and along a few of the roads west of Hwy 59 to East 1/4 Line Road at Port Rowan / Port Royals area we saw an estimated 8000 Tundra Swans on the ground in the water and overhead, great sights and sounds. On Inner Bay were many A.

An estimated 100 HORNED GREBES and a RED-NECKED GREBE were in Popham Bay on September 20. In addition to daily sightings of GREAT BLUE HERONS, there were also singles of GREAT EGRET, GREEN HERON, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON. The OSPREYS seen on September 20 and 23 were rather late. There were also two BALD EAGLE sightings.

High counts/estimates of COMMON LOON and HORNED GREBE were 425 and 225, respectively, both on October 12. A GREAT EGRET was again present in the marsh just outside the Park gate on October 14. Six AMERICAN COOTS were in the marsh on Tuesday. Most of the ten remaining species of shorebirds are being seen with some regularity this week.

Geese seem to be a big story here in the HSA where an estimate of 3000 Canada Geese seem to be hanging out near Oakville Harbour. In amongst the Canadas, a white Snow Goose is present although sometimes hard to see amongst the flock. Also seen in this group was up to 3 Cackling Geese. A scope is helpful to sift through the crowd.