Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Shorebirds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge...

What is better than seeing and photographing an American Avocet on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens NY? Why seeing and photographing the said Avocet AND a Wilson's Phalarope. These two shorebirds are the current stars on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

It is a good thing these birds have shown up and stuck around for a few days because the shorebird numbers and variety on the East Pond has been paltry of late. Black-belied Plovers are the most for one species type, followed by Short-billed Dowitchers. Stilt Sandpipers are all but gone with a handful still hanging around. The occasional Red Knot helps with the variety but no Pectorals, Godwits or Western Sandpipers to be seen at least as of today.

A few White-rumped Sandpipers are still around but the peep numbers have dropped significantly. Today, I noticed more juvenile Least Sandpipers than Semipalmated Sandpipers; something I had not seen before until today. With warm winds out of the south for the next couple of days, one could assume that the next few days will see very little turn over on the pond but I would be quite satisfied and happy with the common shorebirds as long as they show up!


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