Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Golden-Plover at Blood ponds WW County,WA
Date: Sep 19 16:49:37 2015
From: James Cleaver - james.d.cleaver at gmail.com


Hi all,
As a followup to my post from my phone in the field this morning...turned
out to be an *American Golden-Plover*. There was quite the diversity of
shorebirds this morning. Total number of shorebirds was below 100, but
number of shorebird species was at least 12: *Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser
Yellowlegs, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral
Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, American
Golden-Plover, Red-necked Phalarope, *and *Dowitcher species* (At least
some *LB* were noted, but didn't take the time to ID them all).

There were a couple good candidates for Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, but never
could get good enough looks to be completely convinced. Quick looks at some
appeared to show less breast streaking, eyerings, shorter darker bill than
the Pectoral, and a supercillium that was bolder than the Pectorals. Some
of the Pectoral Sandpipers present were very sharp looking juveniles.

Shortly after we arrived, a Northern Harrier scattered all the birds, and
at least half of the shorebirds present flew to the back ponds that can't
be viewed. A Peregrine Falcon also flew by and made all the birds nervous.
Many Yelllow-headed Blackbirds still hanging around. The American Pipits
were also fun to watch. Also found one *Barn Owl* roosting in the cliff by
the marsh area that is further East on Dodd Rd, North side of the road.

The "Blood Ponds" can be a tough spot to look at birds due to the smell,
wind, and floating/moving crud.

Cheers,

James Cleaver
Richland, WA


On Sat, Sep 19, 2015 at 9:21 AM, James Cleaver <james.d.cleaver at gmail.com>
wrote:

> I'm currently at the Blood ponds in WW County on Dodd Rd. One
> Golden-Plover present, but haven't determined which yet. Possible ST
> Sandpiper, but still need better looks. Lots of other shorebirds we are
> sorting through, snipe, pecs, bn stilt, L and g yellowlegs, rn Phalarope,
> killdeer, western . They're a little flighty due to raptors.
>
> James Cleaver
>
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