Long time no see; I hope everyone has enjoyed birding this summer, for those
who have; I know I am have, albeit I haven't been out too much. I decided,
after being kept up all night by the thunderstorm that blew through I
decided that today I should go out walking and see if I could find anything
interesting. I was searching for sandpipers or and ducks that might have
come in with the risen water levels in the neighborhood retention pond.
I checked the retention pond which ended up not having anything except a
group of House Sparrows. Unsure of what to do I decided to walk out of the
neighborhood and take a look at Powell's Creek. From there I decided I
really wanted to look across the street at the retention pond area for Hope
Hills Crossing, the new neighborhood going up, but I didn't want to walk to
the light, wait to cross, and walk all the way back down to the entrance
where it was at. I didn't risk just crossing because Spriggs Rd. can be
quite busy as it was today. I decided if I didn't go this would be the day
that I would miss out on seeing something interesting and convinced myself
that it would be worth going. I most certainly am not sorry for going. Once
I got there I looked down in the water where I saw a sandpiper. I took some
photos and then crept down. I was able to get about 10ft from the bird and
got great photos. I watched the bird closely for about 10 minutes and then
left to go see if there was anything else. The bird appeared to have dull
yellow legs, a slightly decurved bill, a striking white supercillium, the
throat and upper breast were heavily streaked, not showing much white. The
rest of the underside was soft white. The wings appeared to have a rustic
tinge to them. My instincts said Pectoral Sandpiper all the way, but I am
not great with sandpipers so I am unsure.
Photos can be viewed at www.ibwobawa4ever.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Jacob Barkett,
Woodbridge, VA
