Birding Dude: Field Notes - Jamaica Bay Wildife Refuge 7-24 to 7-27...

It has been an interesting few days birding Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with the highlights being a Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) found on Sunday on the East Pond, with birder Bobby Kutrz and beating last week's high count of 31 Stilt Sandpipers (Calidris himantopus) by tallying 41 on Monday. The number of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) were on the rise and on Tuesday evening I had quite a good number between the East and West Ponds; however, this number was significantly smaller yesterday, which probably means that some birds may have moved on.

Hudsonian Godwit with Silt Sandpipers and Short-billed Dowitchers

Late yesterday afternoon, I had my first Red-Knot (Calidris canutus) of the summer at Jamaica Bay, indicating additional arrivals. Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) numbers continue to build and I expect we will see White-rumped Sandpipers (Calidris fuscicollis) in the mix shortly. Pectoral Sandpipers (Calidris melanotos) are also putting in a good appearance with 4 seen on Monday. Also on Monday, I had my first juvenile Lesser Yellowleg (Tringa flavipes), which unfortunately I missed getting a photograph of because of skittish Canada Geese. Another highlight from Monday was presence of a Western Willet on the shores of the West Pond - we don't get too many around the Jamaica Bay area, so that was neat to see and digiscope. As far as passerine migration, Northern Waterthrushes (Seiurus noveboracensis) are back as I had 1 on Sunday and 2 yesterday, all on the East Pond.

Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitchers and Stilt Sandpipers.

The water level on the North End of the East Pond continues to be dismal, with no shoreline or mudflats in sight. I am hopeful that NPS comes up with some kind of solution to lower the water level faster before it is too late for the 2011 shorebird season.