Monday, July 27, 2009

The watch is on at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Queens NY…

Take a look and see if you can identify the shorebirds in this picture. Click on the image to enlarge it, if you need a closer look.

With Shorebird migration on the rise, the watch is on at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens NY, with many birders scouring the East and West Ponds for new arrivals. So far, the only visitor that caused a bit of excitement was an American Avocet that apparently made a one day show on the North End of the East Pond on July 18th. I was on my way back from Pennsylvania that day and did not make it back in time to see that bird before it continued on.

Along with many of the current inhabitants, there is a steady presence of Short-billed Dowitchers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers and Spotted Sandpipers. Terns also remain steady with many Common, Forsters, Gull-billed and Least Terrns hanging around both ponds. This is also the time where tern fledglings are around and they make for good studies in plumage examinations (more on that in another post).

Hopefully, we will see the diversity of shorebirds increasing. Especially, since the Shorebird festival is on August 9th, which is sure to attract birders looking for a nice variety of shorebirds.
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4 comments:

  1. CindyJuly 27, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    Great pictures. After I communicated with you via email about the Jamaica Bay Refuge last week, a friend took me there the next day for a walk having no idea I had been wanting to go. We walked around West Pond and saw glossy ibis and a few other birds. I'm looking to going back soon. Thanks.

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  2. BIRDINGDUDEJuly 27, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    Hi Cindy - Good to hear that you made it over to JBWR. I am guessing that you picked up maps and such. If not let me know and I will scan you copies and e-mail them to you. I was out in LI on Saturday on an all day birding run (you will see my post later on this trip). However, on Sunday I co-led a walk with my friend Don at the refuge. This is the time for shorebirds, so keep checking the blog for any reports I may have.

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  3. Dawn FineJuly 27, 2009 at 11:05 PM

    I want to go to Jamaica bay..so busy here in CT.. no time.
    Hopefully next year.
    Nice pics!

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  4. BIRDINGDUDEJuly 28, 2009 at 10:18 AM

    @Dawn - Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Things are rather quite so far in terms of the diversity of shorebirds. I am hoping things begin to pick up soon.

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