Oxford County bird enthusiasts got a treat when the rare American Avocet was spotted in Woodstock’s Pittock Dam earlier this month.
It was only the second time in history the Avocets were spotted in the county, after a sighting in November 1978 by teenager Jeff Skevington and his mother. The birds typically migrate by night towards the midwestern US and Saskatchewan. This flock of over a dozen was found sleeping in shallow water, and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority member Steve Sauder was able to use a drone to film footage of the birds waking up.
There’s additional attention to the dam this May, hence the drone being there to record footage. The gates and area around the city were opened to pedestrians and cyclists for the first time in 40 years, with the goal of creating a trail system around the reservoir. Hundreds of nature lovers turned out to walk the path, and some avid birders may have seen the avocets. Bird spotting is a popular outdoor activity, with societies sometimes using brochure printing and graphic design to create materials to help identify local birds and encourage wildlife preservation.
The American Avocets were spotted and filmed on May 1 and 2. The Pittock Dam will be open to foot traffic during daylight hours throughout the summer, until it is closed in fall for the installation of lights.
