After the migrating warblers had surged through Mississauga in May 2026, I visited Lakeside Park in Mississauga not expecting to see much: perhaps one of the nesting Yellow Warblers or a Monarch or Painted Lady recently arrived from the south. In my usual “stealth mode” I slowly made my way through a path lined with dogwoods to the shores of Lake Ontario enjoying the cool breeze off the water and watching an Oriole decide whether to sing or catch caterpillars. As I stepped onto the shingle, I only noticed the gulls nearby, but when I lifted my binoculars to scan the stones, I was startled to see spring shorebirds!
What Are These Sandpipers with Orange Legs and Black Blotches on Their Faces, Necks and Chests and Rusty Red Patches on Their Backs?
The first shorebirds I noticed had vivid black, rusty-red and white markings. In southern Ontario, I knew these vivid colours are unique to Ruddy Turnstones. To my astonishment, they had not seen or heard me so they were hunting rapidly among the stones and mud towards me along the shore. Maybe the breaking waves helped hide me, or the old Willow tree I stood beside.
As I watched, and took photos, I was even more surprised as more Turnstones joined the first two. At one time, I had six individuals all within sight simultaneously. A bounty to behold!
Semipalmated Sandpipers Scoot In and Out of the Waves at Lakeside Park
The second shorebirds I spotted, almost simultaneously, were much smaller and less colourful. These Semipalmated Sandpipers were seizing food frantically and darting in and out of the way of the breaking waves.
Unlike Turnstones, I do not recognize these sandpipers at first glance. In fact, there are three types of fairly similar sandpipers so I put my photos up on iNaturalist to ask for opinions from others. One photo has been confirmed as a Semipalmated. The other two are being ignored. : ) I think they were all the same, though.
If I’m wrong about their name, they won’t care–they know who they are! They certainly were appealing to watch.
A few of them paused briefly to preen. They didn’t slow down for long though. In fact, the group of 11 flew in and out along the shore several times while the Turnstones stayed in front of me.
And I Also Spotted This Sandpiper at Lakeside Park
After a while, the Ruddy Turnstones and Semipalmated Sandpipers moved away down the shore. I was about to get up from my roost on the old wllow tree’s branch when another bird came briskly along the shore. Even before it arrived, though, I suspected it was a Spotted Sandpiper because it was bobbing its tail end up and down frequently.
Its partner joined it after a few minutes and they both fed busily, picking tidbits off the rocks. Then they flew much further down the shore, calling cheerfully, making it easy for anyone with the Merlin bird app to identify them. (If the Semipalmated Sandpipers had been vocal it would have helped me to confirm their idenity but they were too calm and too busy hunting to call.)
It was an extraordinary treat to spend an hour unexpectedly so close to shorebirds. The Spotted Sandpipers nest here so we may meet again, but the others were migrating and it’s unlikely I will be that fortunate again. Still, I have the memories and a few photos to treasure!
Related Reading
- First Spring Warblers Land In Lakeside Park Mississauga in May
- Slow Spring and Fast Birds at Lakeside Park in Mississauga