Pte Mouillee belated report for August 4th, 2008

[Brad Murphy]

Greetings,
 
I apologize for the late post but I thought with mild weather the next few days there may be people contemplating a trip to Pte. Mouillee this weekend. 
 
Adam Byrne, Scott Terry and myself were at Pte Mouillee last monday and had decent numbers of shorebirds. It is true according to several of the previous posts that large portions of the Long Pond unit have dried up and are probably worse today. The area where the stilts nested is completely dry. It is too bad since this was not a very long walk at all. 
 
There were lots of shorebirds around the game area though. The Long Pond unit had good habitat along the Northern edge (from the dike that runs along the river). 
 
Perhaps the best area over the next few weeks could be along the Southern half of the Lead Unit. Here we had several hundred yellowlegs, Lots of Pectoral Sandpipers, Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitcher (1), Stilt Sandpiper and other more common species. This area would easily be accessed by parking at the Roberts Rd entrance. 
 
If one wanted to continue to another area that should continue to be productive that would be Cell 3. A couple of weeks ago they were pumping sludge into the unit and it appeared to be ruined but they have actually created a fairly extensive mud flat and good numbers of birds were present here as well. 
 
Cell 5 also has birds that are located in the Southeastern end of the unit. The numbers weren't great but this area has a lot of potential if it dries up a little more.
 
Finally, for anyone wanting to see the stilts. They appear to have moved from Long Pong to the Vermet Unit. The male and three of the babies were in the Southwestern corner of the unit. We did not see the fourth baby or the female. If you get anywhere near the stilts you will hear them as they are easily aggitated (by people and other birds). 
 
Shorebirding down here looks like it could be productive but many of the birds are spread out across the entire SGA. Good luck to anyone who makes the trip. 
 
Good Birding,
 
Brad Murphy
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