SONG SPARROW, PRESQU'ILE PROVINCIAL PARK, BRIGHTON, ON

    We can ID this sparrow as a Song Sparrow by its relatively heavy bill, rufous tail and wings and dark streaks that converge into a central spot on the chest (see third photo).

CEDAR WAXWING, PRESQU'ILE PROVINCIAL PARK, BRIGHTON, ON

BREEDING MALE SEMIPALMATED PLOVER TAKING OFF, PRESQU'ILE PROVINCIAL PARK, BRIGHTON, ON

BREEDING WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, PRESQU'ILE PROVINCIAL PARK, BRIGHTON, ON

   We can ID this "peep" as a White-rumped Sandpiper as follows:

• First we can narrow the species of this "peep" to either a White-rumped Sandpiper or a Baird's Sandpiper by the fact that its wing tips extend beyond its tail.  The wing tips of other small sandpipers do not extend past the tip of the tail.  The wing tips extending past the tail is particularly noticeable in the third and fourth photos.  
• The dark streaks on the breast extending well along the flanks towards the tail indicates this is a White-rumped Sandpiper.  In a Baird's Sandpiper the flanks are not streaked.
• The  base of the lower bill being orangish also indicates this sandpiper is a White-rumped Sandpiper.  Baird's Sandpipers do not have this two tone lower mandible.  This is noticeable in all the photos.
• The white rump of this sandpiper is generally seen only when it is preening or in flight.

   The White-rumped Sandpiper is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 299.

BREEDING MALE PIPING PLOVER, PRESQU'ILE PROVINCIAL PARK, BRIGHTON, ON

   We can ID this plover as a breeding male Piping Plover as follows:

• Short, thick and orange bill with black tip.
• Large dark eye isolated on pale face.
• Orange legs.
• Black neck ring.
• Black band across forehead

   The Piping Plovers are nesting on Beach 2 at the park.  An area has been roped off and set aside for their nesting.  The Piping Plovers in the first and third photos have been banded on their legs.

CLIFF SWALLOWS & THEIR MUD NESTS, PRINCE EDWARD POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE AREA, MILFORD, ON

   These Cliff Swallows are nesting under the eaves of an old abandoned lighthouse in the wildlife area.  The nests are mud cones with small entrance holes.  You can see the white forehead of the male Cliff Swallow showing through the hole in many of the nests.

YELLOW WARBLER, PRINCE EDWARD POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE AREA, MILFORD, ON