Not surprisingly, shorebirds stole the show at Presqu'ile on Sunday's OFO Fieldtrip. An added bonus was provided by breezy, fair weather which made walking and observing much more enjoyable. The group began the morning by walking north on the Presqu'ile beach in search of distant shorebirds foraging in puddles located in from the shoreline. Thanks (or no thanks) to Merlins, distant scope looks regularly alternated with up-close binocular views of the smaller shorebirds which including Baird's Sandpipers. Returning to the southern beach, we were treated to fancy aerial work by immature Common Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls. A Black Tern, uncommon at Presqu'ile, joined the aforementioned and then offered everyone a good look when it landed at the water's edge. Not far from the small tern, a pair of smartly plumaged Short-billed Dowitchers foraged industriously. Nearby, a Green Heron made a brief appearance in a grassy area. A long stroll took us to Owen Point where all shorebirds previously seen could be observed and studied at very close range. A group of five Ruddy Turnstones joined the flock as well as both adult and juvenile Black-bellied Plovers and a White-rumped Sandpiper. At first 'playing hard to get', this bird eventually offered close-up looks which were appreciated by all and in particular by group members for whom the bird was a 'lifer'. A long morning ended about an ominously quiet lighthouse where we had lunch. Afterwards, treks to various habitats revealed very few songbirds. Fortunately, there were other 'flyers' in action inland as we saw nine species of butterflies including a splendid Eastern Comma and various dragonflies including several types of darners and meadowhawks as well as both of the well-named Black and Carolina Saddlebags. As usual, the trip ended back at Owen Point were shorebirds were again seen at close range. Today's group was multi-talented and members were generous in sharing their knowledge with others in the group.
Don and Ian Shanahan Brighton [EMAIL PROTECTED]
