Arriving at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge during high tide in the bay, Richard Haimes and I started at the n/end of the East Pond and walked the w/side to where the flats/mud stopped, allowing us to be able to scope most of the birds near The Ruarnt. There weren't many birds in attendance, with (3) Stilt Sandpipers being the highlight of the (8) species of shorebirds recorded. In addition to the Avocet, we also dipped on the Western Sandpiper and Gull.billed Terns. We also checked out the s/end of the E/Pond, finding only a handful of peeps and a few egrets.
After experiencing a most wonderful surprise (not one "stop & go" on the Belt Parkway during 'rush hour', with speeds not going below 50 mph) we decided to try for the Baird's Sandpiper at Jones Beach SP. Walking east from West End Field 2 in search of the "backward J, west-most pond" (neither of us had ever walked from this p/lot eastward) we did find it (thanks Ken) to be dry and bird-less...or so we thought ! After a few minutes, a peep that had been out of our sight beyond high "frags", just upped and flew off to the south. About (5) minutes later a peep (same bird ?) flew in, stayed for ~ (2) minutes, and took off to the east. We were able to get a scope on this bird for an excellent view, as well as Richard hearing the bird vocalize when it took off - and again hearing the call while using a program on his smart phone. The Baird's was a first for Richard...Yessssssssss ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
