Bob McGuire, Susan Danskin, John Confer went to Towpath Rd on Friday and saw the American Avocet, and I received an RBA text message that the bird was present at 4:49pm. I also see that Kevin McGowan has added the species to his list for the basin for the year.However, Ann Mitchell I looked at Puddler's for about an hour starting at 7:45am today (Saturday), and we did NOT find the American Avocet, nor did we see any Red-necked Phalarope. We also checked Knox-Marsellus, May's Point Pool, the Visitor Center, and the Wildlife Drive, all without success on those species. We met Gary Chapin Jeanne Skelly who checked out the same places with similar luck.On the bright side, it was a lovely morning, and I did note these species of shorebirds, generally in small to moderate numbers:Killdeer - gangs of them at Puddler's and the Visitor CenterSemipalmated Plover - 1 at May's Point Pool if I remember correctlyGreater Yellowlegs - several at Puddler's, Visitor Center, and Shorebird FlatsLesser Yellowlegs - similar to Greater Yellowlegs, but more numerousSolitary Sandpiper - a couple at the Visitor Center, 1 on the right at the beginning of Wildlife Drive, 1 at Shorebird FlatsSpotted Sandpiper - several at Puddler'sStilt Sandpiper - 1 in mostly non-breeding adult plumage at Visitor CenterPectoral Sandpiper - 1 off to the right at May's PointSemipalmated Sandpiper - 1 at Puddler'sLeast Sandpiper - quite a few in short vegetation on mud at Puddler'sShort-billed Dowitcher - 4 gorgeous juveniles fairly close at Puddler'sWilson's Snipe - 1 very distant resting on a log at May's Point, found by JeanneThere were also distant Yellowlegs Sp in the flooded short vegetation at Knox-Marsellus.At the Visitor's Center we saw several Dowitchers in worn breeding plumage, and tried to make them into Long-billed. The most likely candidate (to me) had a dark back, a relatively dark tail, and wings which appeared a bit overly distinct between the primaries and secondaries when it briefly flapped. However the back did not seem particularly humped when it fed, and it did not seem larger than other Dowitchers. The largest-appearing individual was lighter-colored in plumage. I often find identifying Dowitchers to species to be trying.--Dave NutterOn Aug 12, 2011, at 05:58 AM, 6072292...@vtext.com wrote: CayugaRBA AMERICAN AVOCET, Puddler's, Towpath Rd, Montezuma NWR, 850am per Stuart Krasnoff.
--Dave Nutter
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