Arriving at the Knox-Marsellus overlook at around noon the first thing
I noticed was a grayish glump in front(west edge) of Puddler's marsh which
turned out to be a tight flock of 8 Sandhill Cranes which all appeared to be
adults. This in addition to the family below starts out the late summer/
fall congregation with 11. How many later this year? Returning around 4pm I
could not relocate the flock even after driving towpath all the way to the
back of puddler's. Working on the shorebirds at Knox produced highlights of
1 Black-bellied Plover (seen well in flight to confirm),15 Semi-palmated
plovers, 7 SB Dowitchers, 11 Stilt, 15 Pectoral and good numbers of
Semi-palmated and Least Sandpipers. 200+ Lesser Yellowlegs plus 50 at
Puddler's. Surprised by only about a dozen Greater's. Green-winged teal
numbers are building with a Gadwall and a couple Am. Wigeon mixed in. No
phalaropes for me.
Around the refuge ,Larues' lagoon had a few yellowlegs and 2 Solitary
Sandpipers as did the ponds along the thruway. There were still about 80
Least Sandpipers on the last of the main pool mudfalts, many right along the
edge of the channel close to the drive. One No. Pintail was there near the
pool outlet. Great egrets were spread around the main pool with a total of
18 around the wildlife drive, 5 on North spring pool and 10 more visible
from the parking area on route 89. Good luck tomorrow! Mike Tetlow
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