I had the opportunity to do some birdwatching at Chincoteague NWR today. I
spent the early afternoon on the beach south of the parking lots -- around the
washover area. Good numbers of Sanderings, 3 piping plovers, sandwich, black,
common, foresters, and royal terns. The highlight from the beach was an
immature Black Scoter in the surf.
I cruised the wildlife loop at around 3:45 -- there were large numbers of
lesser yellowlegs in the stubble to the south of the dike -- just before the
Eagle's nest. Mixed in were a number of Pectoral Sandpipers, semi-palmated
sandpipers, leasts, and one WILSONS PHALAROPE. There was also a nice flock of
blue winged teal.
On the other side of the loop -- just after you get past the trees, was a RUFF.
I got great looks with a scope and was able to get a number of pictures. It
was to the north of the dike, and mixed in with a group of mixed sandpipers --
mostly lesser yellowlegs, more pectorals, a few greater yl, SB dowitichers,
semi-palmated sandpipersw, leasts, and at least one western sandpiper.
Killdeer and semi-palmated plovers were also around. It had crisp plumage,
brownish, about the same size as the lessers, upright, brownish head with a
black bill- slightly downturned; white underbelly, and greenish legs; it fed by
poking around in the vegetation at the water's edge.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73831614@N00/sets/72157631327102964/
Good birding,
Bill
