I snuck out onto the flats just before high tide crept in to try and capitalize on the coastal shorebird movement that was taking place today. Decent numbers of expected species were present with some obvious east - west movement along the bay and inside flats. Aside from 3 Whimbrels, and a lone AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, the highlight by far was watching a group of 6 HUDSONIAN GODWITS fly in from the east. The birds spent most of their time resting in the high water on the flats before they flew west to the beach (sandy stretch just west of main flats). After a short rest the birds continued on their journey west.
I also received an alert, and photo, from Justin Leclaire informing me that his colleagues had a juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the flats at low tide this AM. Further east, at Mecox, John Shemilt had a productive morning also noting constant turnover. His highlights were 11 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 1 BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and 1 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. The continuing MARBLED GODWIT, along with a single Whimbrel, was also present. Best, Derek Rogers Sayville -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
