Posting for Jon Ruddy: From: Jon Ruddy <accipitriformes@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 05:53:42 -0400 Subject: Short-billed Gull in Cobden Good morning, birders: Yesterday afternoon, I had a juvenile Short-billed Gull at Muskrat Lake. It was roosting with ring-bills on the municipal beach, located off of Bonnechere Street. A few notes, for those who may try for the bird: There are a few shoreline vantages on Muskrat Lake. At the NW end of the lake, there is a view of the lake (boat launch) at Cornerview and Faught. There is another view of the lake, further to the SE, at MacFarlane Road and Cobble Stone Lane. Further to the SE, Cowley Street provides a view of a small bay and the open water nearby. The traditional vantage for birders is Cobden’s municipal beach/Muskrat Lake boat launch, located off Bonnechere Street. One final vantage, which provides a view of the length of the lake (although limited, given its length) is found off Summerfield Drive, which is off Foresters Falls Rd. I had the bird at the municipal beach site at 4:35 p.m. When I found it, it was roosting with RBGU’s. Maybe there’s a pattern in terms of the time of day it chooses the beach site. Washrooms: there are washrooms available at the nearby Tim Hortons/Shell gas station, located within 300 meters of the municipal beach. Good luck and good birding, Jon Ruddy Embrun, Ontario eontbird@gmail.com