I headed up to Staunton View Public Access Area late this morning in hopes of
seeing the stunning Buff-breasted Sandpiper that Paul and Adam saw yesterday.
After looking around the flats across from the parking lot (7 Black Terns, 2
Sanderlings were the most interesting) I made my way up river.
Just past where one can see the actual boat ramp on the other side, I saw a
beautiful (indeed stunning) BB Sandpiper. It was in the edge of the grassy area
on the flats across from me. I watched it for a few moments before noticing
another and then finally a third. Their buff color stood out without even
zooming the scope. Their backs were 'scaly' and they were, of course, small
headed and small billed. Beautiful birds! I so wished I had a boat or kayak or
something so that I could get closer and photograph them.
While I was observing the BBS's (about 15 minutes or so of watching) a small
flock of 13 Sanderlings flew in and landed at the edge of the water. They were
in non-breeding plumage, all very light gray with a dark 'shoulder', black legs
and bill. The very white underwings showed prominently as they flew in.
Below is the list of the morning.
Cheers for now,
R. Bruce Richardson
South Boston
Canada Goose 25
Wood Duck 4
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Great Blue Heron 6
Great Egret 15
Turkey Vulture 4
Bald Eagle 2
Killdeer 20
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Solitary Sandpiper 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs 4
Sanderling 15 in non-breeding plumage, very light gray, dark 'shoulder',
black bill and legs. I watched two across from the parking area and then
upriver a flock of 13 landed on the flats across from me, affording good looks.
Western Sandpiper 2
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 3 unmistakable, very buff... saw two together,
then they joined with a third... working the edge of the grass on the flats
perhaps 1/3 mile up river from the parking area.
Black Tern 7
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Fish Crow 2
crow sp. 20
Carolina Wren 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
