Many of the shorebirds that have been present at the Staunton River Mudflats
appear to have turned over with this change in the weather. Diversity was
way down, but a huge group of 218 Lesser Yellowlegs moved in. According to
the Gold Book, this blows away the previous high count of 66 for the
Piedmont. The Glossy Ibis, 8 White Ibis, and immature Laughing Gull are all
still hanging around. 3 Forster's Terns joined the continuing Caspian
Terns. A nice group of 24 Blue-winged Teal joined the usual Canada Geese,
Wood Ducks, and Mallards.
Land birds were scarce, but a Blue-winged Warbler was a good find for the
area. The only other migrants were a Chestnut-sided Warbler, 2 Magnolia
Warblers, and a flyover Bobolink.
Paul Glass
South Boston, VA
