Jamaica Bay Shorebirding Report Late August- Early September

As we near mid September, shorebirding on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, NY has peaked in terms of the diversity of shorebirds, but low numbers suggest we are getting to the point of where shorebird migration has begun to wind down. The cold fronts resulted in more birds departing than arriving. Nevertheless, the last week in August and first week in September, saw very good numbers of Western Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpipers and Hudsonian Godwits.

Yes, plural on Godwit (s), is correct. The latter seen in numbers that have not been recorded in many years. To date, I have documented at least 13 Hudsonian Godwits that have dropped in on the East Pond this season, starting with the 6 that Shai Mitra first observed on August 30th on the North End of the Pond. The presence of 2 very tame juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers this past week (no longer on the pond) added to the long list of shorebirds that I have seen this year on the East Pond, which now stands at 30 species.  You think a healthy pond and lower water levels have helped?

Given that I continue to shorebird on the pond into November if possible, we shall see if I manage to add any additional species.

Tags: Hudsonian Godwits, East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Western Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper Queens