I'm visiting the East Hampton/Buckroe/Salt Ponds area for the next several
weeks.
It sounds like shorebirds are starting to move southward, and I'd like to keep
an eye out for them locally.
But I'm having trouble finding likely spots to start checking -- other than
Buckroe Beach, Malo Beach, and Long Creek/Salt Ponds. The beach doesn't seem
like very good habitat for shorebirds (so far only 1 semipalmated sandpiper, a
couple fly-by willets and a couple of fly-by oystercatchers).
I've checked BirdsEye but it only lists the major hotspots. I was thinking more
of just little local "patches" with public access that are prospects for
migrating shorebirds. I'm having trouble figuring out how to get access to
areas I see on Google Maps because of private property etc.
Ideally any little ponds, sand or mud flats, etc in the Salt Ponds/Fox Hill
area.
Also, I've noticed most recent shorebird sightings have been from Craney Island
Disposal Area. Is this site closed to public access? Or is it possible to scope
from any particular public access locations?
Thanks so much for any suggestions. It's always tough to find the local access
points as an out-of-state birder!
Diana Doyle
Minneapolis, MN
