I did the Nonquon lagoons today and found 10 species of shorebirds and several Black Terns. Highlights: Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) 3 (2 adult + 1 immature) Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 1 male Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 1 female Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 4 (family group at the nest) Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 1 Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 8-10 Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 6 Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) 2 – one adult and one that appeared to be a juvenile Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 4 – adults Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 45-50 – all adults in alternate plumage but one in basic plumage Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) 1 adult Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 4 – adults Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) 2 – adults Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) 1 – subspecies not noted due to distance Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 18 The 2nd most westerly and particularly the southernmost lagoons were very good with a huge amount of habitat. One thing I noted that was disconcerting was that the Region has installed several hydro poles right down the middle of the lagoons along one of the berms. This is a flight hazard for shorebirds and Black Terns. I will be following up but if anyone finds any dead birds that appear to be wire strikes, pls photograph them, record date and time and let me know privately. Don’t forget your permits: How to Obtain a Nonquon Sewage Lagoon Permit Permits must be purchased in advance of entering the lagoons. Permits can be obtained from 605 Rossland Rd., Whitby, or at the Scugog Waste Transfer Station, 1623 Reach Street, Port Perry. An electronic version of the Nonquon Sewage Lagoon Birder Permit is available in PDF format at http://www.durham.ca/finance.asp?nr=/departments/finance/financeinside.htm. Nonquon Sewage Lagoon Birder Permits are available for $10 per permit. Cheques will only be accepted at Regional Headquarters. Payment by cash only at the Scugog Waste Transfer Station. Completed Applications should be forwarded to: Finance Department - Insurance & Risk Management, 605 Rossland Road E., Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 The lagoons are located one road north of the transfer site on Concession Rd. 8 [don't get confused as, despite the fact that these roads are both numbered "8", they are two different roads - one is a regional paved road, the other a dirt concession road.]. Access to the lagoons is from the east end of Conc. 8 only as the bridge is out west of the lagoons. Geoff Carpentier AVOCET NATURE SERVICES Contact me at: 905-852-2011 or avocetnatureservices@gmail.com Visit my website: www.avocetnatureservices.com Specializing in Environmental & Natural History Surveys and Expedition & Personalized Guiding Services