I gotta add my 2 cents. Jim Beard and I got the Black-tailed Godwit today after
lunch, refound by a very cool lady from Springfield I think (on crutches, no
less) and a nice guy from Easton, a regular Maryland birder. In Tom's Cove with
21 Marbled Godwits, I could pick out the bright white rump bare eyed when it
fed, sticking straight up in the air. When the group got up they flew right
into the sun and fairly high up, but they circled and flew back to Tom's Cove.
When they crossed over us they were in perfect bright sunlight, the Marbleds
glowing bronzy brown and the BT showing in all its glory, like a chunky Willet
with a black terminal tail band, LOL.
I dipped on it last September, two days worth of dipping in fact, and last
Friday when it was seen from the beach until a half hour before I got there. Of
course, last week I didn't dress for the frigid temperature and winds that blew
the car door shut when you were trying to get out, so I only lasted three hours
out there hoping it would come back. I told myself it wasn't like it was a
Polar Bear or an Emperor Penguin, you know what I mean. Whew! I'm so glad Beard
wanted to try for it.
The Black-headed Gull was about, also about 200 Brant along the causeway on the
way out. We didn't find the Piping Plovers or any Avocets, didn't try for the E
Widgeon.
Fresh Flounder and Oysters are at local restaurants.
Good birds,
John Fox
Arlington
