Salutations all, I am delighted to report that we are almost at our target mark for the East Pond water level. We will close the valve upon hitting the target but continue monitoring. NPS has received a lot of flack for a number of things related to the Refuge. Some legit, some just bollocks. Take a moment when visiting, to let the Rangers at the Visitors Center know how happy you are with the condition of the East Pond. While those you speak to may not have been involved in the water level management, the message will get across and reach the “proper” party.
Now that pond is attracting visitors from far and wide. I feel the need to remind folks to please be mindful of your conduct. Voices carry and it adds to many of the variables that make birds jumpy. Avoid excessive chatting while out there. Don’t push the birds around to get photos. If a photographer has position, wait or ask to if you could move; don’t barrel past and flush the subject (s) as it takes patience and time to get into position. The reverse applies when birders are in position before a photographer gets on site. Remember to credit finders for your birds in your checklists, it’s a nice thing to do. For those of you leading walks; be mindful of your party size. No littering 😡 I could go on but you by now should get my drift. And now for the birds. I will only mention highlights. The Hudsonian Godwit, Bonaparte’s Gull, Black-headed Gull and White-faced Ibis (1 of 2) continue. The latter getting harder to pick out as it is almost in full basic plumage and often times the light makes it very tricky. Here is a Digiscoped image taken yesterday for reference. https://twitter.com/birdingdude/status/1551725685416366081?s=21&t=48be0O8kkF6a6pkHEPWm-g Gull-billed, Royal and Caspian Terns also continue but not consistent. Recent uncommon sightings include Piping Plover and Whimbrel (flyby/flyover). We will begin seeing the volume of birds drop off but the diversity will pick up. An early Dunlin was observed yesterday and a flock of Sanderlings dropped in for a bit. Several Long-billed Dowitchers (LBDO) continue; I noted 4 yesterday. Please be wary of Hendersoni subspecies of Short-billed Dowitcher as there are a few in play and are often confused with LBDO. A couple of Western Sandpipers also are in play but losing their color fast so a keen sorting of the peeps is required. Adult and immature Peregrine Falcons have been straffing the pond so be prepared for some frustrating moments. I fondly remembered the late Bobby Kurtz yesterday as yelled at an immature Peregrine for its shenanigans 😬 The hose is setup near the visitors center to wash up after your visit. Try and keep it in the shade as the metal piece on the nozzle will get very hot. Lastly, please try and stay hydrated. The pond gets very, very hot. On days when there is no breeze it could be very stifling. Get out there and enjoy the East Pond and the birds. Not since Hurricane Sandy has it looked this good. Happy Shorebird Birding! -------- “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves could free our mind.” ~ Bob Marley “Tenderness and Kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution” ~ Khalil Gibran "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick Douglass 風 Swift as the wind 林 Quiet as the forest 火 Conquer like the fire 山 Steady as the mountain Sun Tzu The Art of War > (\__/) > (= '.'=) > (") _ (") > Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device! Andrew Baksh www.birdingdude.blogspot.com -- 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/ --
