This morning, I birded both the East and West ponds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife
Refuge (JBWR) in Queens Co.
Given the recent heavy rains, I was anxious to see the effects on the East
Pond. My suspicions were right. Almost all of the exposed flats on the south
end is now under water. Long legged waders will continue to do well but the
peeps will be hard pressed to find sizable open shoreline to feed.
NPS, is aware of the situation and will continue to drain the pond at full
throttle. If we have a few days of no rain and good drainage we might be able
to get back on track. It’s a real shame given the efforts this year by the
Refuge staff in getting the pond ready for the shorebird season. We were right
on target and that is the only reason why it is not a complete washout. Let’s
keep our fingers crossed for a dry spell.
Now onto the birds. Not many shorebirds on the pond to look at. From those
present, I had the following highlights. White-rumped Sandpiper (4) and
Stilt Sandpiper (5)
Still no Western Sandpipers as yet - at least for me.
More juvenile shorebirds are starting to arrive. Today’s juvie numbers included:
Juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher (3)
Juvenile Greater Yellowlegs (2)
Juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs (6)
Juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper (2)
Juvenile Least Sandpiper (5)
Juvenile Black-bellied Plover (3)
Among the duckage, 3 Green-winged Teals and 1 Wood Duck were the notables.
A large number of juvenile Gulls continue on the pond, mostly Laughing with
juvenile Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Among the Gull flock I picked
out a CASPIAN TERN - just about that time when one would show up on the pond.
The two Bonaparte’s Gulls continue, spending their time up at the north end
while I was there.
A sizable number of American Oystercatchers continue to loaf near the Raunt at
high tide. Today’s count was 57.
Other notables included a pair of COMMON RAVENS. First heard when I headed up
north and then heard and seen when heading back south a few hours later.
An adult SNOW GOOSE, continue on the pond having been reported a few days ago.
Its presence seems ominous given the status of the shorebird season (waterfowl
season could wait thank you).
Over at the West Pond, the south east corner did not host as many shorebirds as
seen recently. No Stilt or Pectoral Sandpipers for me there today. However, I
did add a shorebird species for the day - a lone Ruddy Turnstone among the 100
+ Semipalmated Sandpipers. The pond edges did not host much else in terms of
shorebirds.
If you plan on visiting the East Pond, knee high muck boots are a must more so
now given the rain. You are not going to get away with hiking boots unless
soggy feet with East Pond water is your thing.
Finally, NPS management sent me an update late this afternoon verifying that
the draining on the East Pond continue at full throttle. Nothing else we could
do now but be hopeful.
Cheers,
--------
"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
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