An interesting morning and early afternoon at the Cupsogue flats - as it should be at the traditional peak time for shorebird migration. 20 species made for a decent variety, although not much was in appreciable numbers except for Black-bellied Plover and Sanderling (the latter including my first juveniles of the year). Of note was the highest low tide I've seen there. The northeastern most sandbar and the inner cove never opened up. That didn't really hamper the sojourn to and from the flats. And actually, it should have been a benefit, as birds couldn't spread out as much as usual. But without great numbers of birds, it wasn't much of a benefit.
Upon my arrival, there was a Whimbrel standing out on the flats. Photographic hopes were dashed when it took off, heading west, before I crossed the last channel. About 10 minutes later, 2 Whimbrel flew from the west to the east, moderately high and not seen landing. A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the flats at this time, was soon joined by another, seemingly arriving in the company of several Greater Yellowlegs. An assemblage of Willet totaled 18, looking to be of both varieties. While focusing on getting side by side comparison shots during mid-morning, I was distracted by a call that I hadn't heard in some time. I looked up to see the form of a dowitcher circling around - combined with the "keek" call, a Long-billed Dowitcher. Not in its habitat, it quickly moved on to the west. Toward the latter part of my stay came the last goodie - a juvenile American Golden Plover. It landed near the Black-bellies and stayed about 10 minutes, during which I was able to obtain a few pictures. I've posted one to my web site at http://stevewalternature.com/ . A couple of Piping Plovers still remain. Red Knots were disappointing with only two, an adult and a juvenile. No godwits at the flats. Terns at the flats (as opposed to the mussel beds) weren't many. Royal Terns peaked at only 6, with Least, Common, and Forster's just fly bys. One surprise to see at Cupsogue that did stay for much of the time was a Blue-winged Teal. The shorebirds were generally relaxed for much of the time, although eventually they did have to deal with avoiding the Black Plague. That is my nickname for the very dark Peregrine Falcon that's still there. I joined up with Doug and Marc for part of their grasspiper search - a part which only produced Killdeers. That took me to route 51 and close to Pine Meadow County Park. Being that close to one of my favorite butterfly spots, I opted to do that for a bit. That resulted in a White M Hairstreak, my first in Suffolk county in 16 years - a nice capper to the day. Steve Walter Bayside, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
