Andrew Haydon Park

 August 18, 2021

Some shorebirds had been reported at the west end of Andrew Haydon Park, so we decided to give it a try.  We looked very carefully, but all the good stuff had departed.  We got three Killdeers and some Green-winged Teal as well as a Great Egret and Great Blue Heron.

Bill drove over to Ottawa Beach, while Barbara walked over so she could bird along the way.  Bill checked out the beach, but there was a guy on a stool at water's edge with only a few Yellowlegs in sight.  He saw Mark Gawn heading west along the path, so he followed him to where they both met Barbara.

There were some warblers in the woods, and with patience, we got a Bay-breasted Warbler.

Mark told us to check the little bridge to the east of the playground, as he had a Canada Warbler there earlier.  He said to wait at least 5 minutes for something to show up.  Before going, we went down the path to the edge of Graham Creek where we got a Spotted Sandpiper and other goodies.

As we walked back, we noticed that the guy with the stool was coming out, so we decided to check the beach again.  Right where he had been sitting, there was a Least Sandpiper, and the Lesser Yellowlegs were putting on a god show.

Finally we went to Mark's bridge and waited.  Sure enough, an American Redstart popped out.

We went around to the main path which is right beside Gary & Sue's condo.  We saw a Northern Parula, but it was too quick for a photo.  A Chestnut-sided Warbler was much more cooperative.

We returned to the bridge,  and this time we got a Gray Catbird.  Not bad!