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[Ontbirds] Sabine's Gull/Jaegers Point Edward (Sarnia)

BA
Blake A. Mann
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 7:23 PM

Hi all,

Just posting some observations on behalf of those watching birds at the
mouth of Lake Huron today.....

It was one of the better gull/jaeger days I have ever had at Point Edward,
and one of the strongest NNE winds I have experienced there.
I arrived before first light and noticed a large number of gulls (too dark!)
either exiting the St. Clair River or at the mouth of the lake.  Just as it
was getting light I had a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (juv).  A bit earlier I was
sure I saw a SABINE'S GULL, but it was too dark out still!
Turns out one juv SABINE'S appeared about 08:50.  It hung around at the
entrance to the river for over an hour.

I stayed longer than other observers, and estimated at least 15 jaegers
today.
Many were unidentifiable as most did not come close.  Some were obvious
"returnees" throughout the morning.  At least three were identifiable as juv
PARASITIC.
Just after others left, Steve Charbonneau and I saw two LONG-TAILED JAEGERS
come in.  One was an obvious adult with long tail streamers and the other
possibly a sub-adult.
I had five more jaegers after everyone left!  A duo was PARASITIC and
another group of three was rather distant.  Two of those I suspected were
POMARINE about 12:30.

Some other birds included two Phalaropes which I saw at first light, and
several times throughout the morning.  I think they were RED-NECKED  as the
last time I got a closer look.
several SANDERLINGS
7 Surf Scoters
~25 HORNED GREBES
1 RED-THROATED LOON
1 COMMON LOON
~50+ COMMON TERNS

  • Ruddy, Redhead, Lesser Scaup ducks

Directions to Point Edward Lakewatch:  Find Front St. in Sarnia (along
river in downtown) and follow it north to St. Clair St. just past the 402
overpass.  Turn left on St. Clair St. and follow it to its very north end in
Point Edward past Michigan Ave.  Turn left on Victoria Ave. and go less than
two blocks to Fort St.  Turn right onto Fort St. and go to the parking lot
at the lake.

Cheers,

Blake A. Mann
Wallaceburg
Chatham-Kent, Ontario
boatmannATkentDOTnet
Blog:  http://burgbirder.blogspot.com/

Hi all, Just posting some observations on behalf of those watching birds at the mouth of Lake Huron today..... It was one of the better gull/jaeger days I have ever had at Point Edward, and one of the strongest NNE winds I have experienced there. I arrived before first light and noticed a large number of gulls (too dark!) either exiting the St. Clair River or at the mouth of the lake. Just as it was getting light I had a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (juv). A bit earlier I was sure I saw a SABINE'S GULL, but it was too dark out still! Turns out one juv SABINE'S appeared about 08:50. It hung around at the entrance to the river for over an hour. I stayed longer than other observers, and estimated at least 15 jaegers today. Many were unidentifiable as most did not come close. Some were obvious "returnees" throughout the morning. At least three were identifiable as juv PARASITIC. Just after others left, Steve Charbonneau and I saw two LONG-TAILED JAEGERS come in. One was an obvious adult with long tail streamers and the other possibly a sub-adult. I had five more jaegers after everyone left! A duo was PARASITIC and another group of three was rather distant. Two of those I suspected were POMARINE about 12:30. Some other birds included two Phalaropes which I saw at first light, and several times throughout the morning. I think they were RED-NECKED as the last time I got a closer look. several SANDERLINGS 7 Surf Scoters ~25 HORNED GREBES 1 RED-THROATED LOON 1 COMMON LOON ~50+ COMMON TERNS + Ruddy, Redhead, Lesser Scaup ducks Directions to Point Edward Lakewatch: Find Front St. in Sarnia (along river in downtown) and follow it north to St. Clair St. just past the 402 overpass. Turn left on St. Clair St. and follow it to its very north end in Point Edward past Michigan Ave. Turn left on Victoria Ave. and go less than two blocks to Fort St. Turn right onto Fort St. and go to the parking lot at the lake. Cheers, Blake A. Mann Wallaceburg Chatham-Kent, Ontario boatmannATkentDOTnet Blog: http://burgbirder.blogspot.com/