Hey tweets, I was down at the Fill yesterday, and fall migration is really
going strong. I saw a flock of 15 or so western sandpipers (they kept
scurrying under the willows along the eastern side of the main pond, so it
was hard to keep a count), 5 long-billed dowitchers, and 1 semipalmated
sandpiper. I also saw two spotted sandpipers "beach-combing" for food among
the lily pads on the bay. The spotties were way out on the bay, acting like
the lily pads were land.

The swallows are almost all gone now (a sad departure to me) - just a few
barns left, along with one cliff and one violet-green. I know we'll be
seeing waves of more swallows come through, as they migrate from farther
north. But fall is definitely in the wind.

The Vaux's swifts are still abundant, though I haven't seen them do their
chimney disappearing act yet. I'll keep you posted about that.

I also saw (and heard) a family of newly hatched pied-billed grebes in
Cinnamon Teal Pond (the small pond near the dead beaver trees at the
southeast tip of the Fill). There were five stripey babies pestering their
mom for fish; the poor mother (and I can really sympathize with her) was
doing her best to catch as many small fish as she could as fast as she
could but it was impossible to keep up with the babies' demands. And she
couldn't even lock herself into the bathroom for a needed five-minute break.

Just a reminder: Our loosestrife-pulling party is on for this Saturday,
August 4, at the south end of the main pond, from 8 a.m. to noon. Bring
shovels to dig up the smaller weeds, gloves (so you don't get St.
John'swort juice on your hands), plenty of sunscreen, and drinking water.
If enough of us show up, we can accomplish everything in one go, I think.
The shorebirds will really benefit. - Connie