Shorebirding at Pointe Mouillee in Late August

Buff breasted Sandpiper

Just a quick post for tonight. I birded Pointe Mouillee State Gaming Area on Saturday morning. Pointe Moo-yay[link][map] is a 4000 Acre wetland habitat along Lake Erie's Western Shore. It is a wetland nestled between the Huron River and the Fermi Nuclear Power plant... Just across the river from Holiday Beach in Amherstburg. I had about 50 species but some highlights were:

Buff breasted Sandpiper
Willet
Yellow headed Blackbird
Marbled Godwit
White rumped Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper

Many birders I had met had also seen: American Avocet, Whimbrel and Red Knot but I did not see these excellent species. In fairness, there is alot of ground to cover when you are at a 4000 acre wetland!

How to get there from Windsor

Willet

Marbled Godwit

Yellow Sweet Clover

The mudflat in Cell 3 could be measured in square miles... Its contaminated river bottom dredgings from the Rouge River and local shipping channels.

Stilt Sandpipers and Short billed Dowitchers

I've attempted to make an annual trip to this great site and look forward to visiting again next summer. Just a note that it is closed to the public on Sept 1 - Nov 15 for duck hunting.

Good Birding!

Shorebirding at Pointe Mouillee MI

Marbled Godwits - Incredible Shorebirds!

After a great day at Holiday Beach yesterday, I went all out this morning with a long awaited road trip to Magee Marsh, with a stop at  Pointe Mouillee MI. I also attempted to stop at Open Oaks Metropark in Toledo, but did not really have time to do more than a quick drive through.

Back in July, I saw my first Pileated Woodpecker, and using my PPNP birding checklist book, I counted about 175 birds on my life list. An informal count recently brought me to 193... and I think this trip pushes me to the 199-200 mark! I am really excited about that!

Anyone going to Pointe Mouillee should print out a map and realize that its huge. The first time I went, I did not do this planning and found myself on a 5 mile walk (un-equipped with water and granola - not fun). This time, I brought my bike in my trunk, water, hat and some good cheer! It seems best parkinglot to use is the southernmost lot, just before Mouillee Creek bridge.

The first bird I noticed when I arrived was the giant Marbled Godwits. I was like wow! Lifer! Then, I walked down to the other end of the shorebird cell and noticed a birder. As I approached her, I noticed Buff breasted Sandpipers around! (Lifer!) They stayed at a comfortable 20 yards from me, but were very tolerant of humans... comparable to Killdeers.

Buff breasted Sandpiper

Then, I noticed the circular foraging strategy of a Winter plumaged Red necked Phalarope. (lifer!)

Red necked Phalarope

This Green winged Teal was walking around. This is a lifer as well for me! Its funny because I had ignored the duck with all the other great shorebirds around, but as I was photographed other birds, it would come into the frame of my camera view and shine bright green into my eyes almost like a mirror, beckoning my attention!

Green winged Teal - Shining green into my lens

I believe I photographed some Stilt & Pectoral Sandpipers as well this afternoon... really kicking up my life list total to 199!

Pointe Mouillee Birds~
Least Sandpiper
Marbled Godwit (lifer! 194)
Stilt Sandpiper (lifer! 195)
Red necked Phalarope (lifer! 196)
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper (lifer! 197)
Lesser Yellowlegs
Green-winged Teal (lifer! 198)
Buff breasted Sandpiper (lifer! 199)
Sanderling
Baird's Sandpiper
? Long billed Dowitcher (lifer 200!)

Pied Billed Grebe
Assorted Terns, Gulls, Egrets and Herons
Blackbirds
American Goldfinch

Bobolink
Savannah Sparrow

Canada Goose


Anyway, I visited two other great sites after Pointe Mouillee, but I will leave them as a separate postings


Great birding!
Dwayne

PS: Is it possible that there is a Long-billed Dowitcher in this photo? If so, that could be my #200th bird!!!! I will be conservative and call it a Short-billed and leave the 200th bird celebration for another day!