-----Original Message-----
From: mjyuan@gmail.com
To: Christopher Eliot
Sent: Mon, Sep 7, 2015 1:18 pm
Subject: BBC Shorebird Trip 9-6-2015
13 birders celebrated World Shorebird Day at a couple of prime shorebirding spots in Brooklyn and Queens.
We started the day at Dreier-Offerman Park, which yielded the only GREATER YELLOWLEGS of the day. Next, we continued on to Plumb Beach for the rising tide, which sometimes brings rarities on the shrinking tidal flats. The shorebirds didn't materialize this time, but the group saw SEASIDE SPARROW and LITTLE BLUE HERON on the marsh.
Finally, we trekked up the East Pond from south end at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. On our first glimpse of the pond, we spotted a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, and soon after picked out WESTERN SANDPIPERS and 4 stunning juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Fighting the sun, heat, and seasonal allergies, we made it to a point on the North end where we could see STILT SANDPIPERS and their tell-tale feeding habits. With the stilts, we observed a peculiar medium-sized shorebird whose ID is still TBD. Hoping some photo and video analysis gets us an answer!
Thanks to the drivers, Bobbi, Bob, Chris, and Marc, and big up to Dennis for wrangling up the herd!
eBird lists here. Please email me your eBird ID or email address if you would like me to share the checklists with you.
Great birding and company. See you soon!
-Mike
