In case you didn't know, the Montezuma Refuge created lots of shorebird
habitat by flooding the large expanse of disked "field" behind its
Visitor's Center yesterday. That, coupled with significant rainfall last
night has created some nice spaces for shorebirds and waterfowl. I was
there briefly this morning on another errand so I took a quick look and
saw a few yellowlegs (both flavors) and lots of killdeer.
Two smaller sandpiper-type birds (not as small as least or semipalmated)
were pretty far off. I managed to scope them but didn't observe any tail
bobbing that spotteds are noted for.....but was also unable to clearly
see the more obvious eye-ring of the solitary.....so couldn't be sure it
was a solitary either. It lacked the spots of an adult spotted and,
according to Michael O'Brien (of Shorebird book fame), the only
clear-breasted spotted sandpipers in these parts at this time of year
are juvenile birds (all adults have at least a few spots left on them).
So I cannot provide a positive i.d. of the two birds.
Anyway, if you get a chance, head on up. Once the word gets around in
and among the various shorebird "nations", it should be a fun site to
test one's skills.
Pete Saracino
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