Re: [MDOsprey] Ruff still at Easton STP; Shorebirds at Blackwater & PRR
blkrail (blkrail@gateway.net)
Wed, 21 Jul 1999 12:46:43 -0400
On Wed., 21 July the Ruff was present at the Easton Sewerage Treatment Plant
till about 9:25 a.m., when it flew off to the northeast. I had just arrived
on location, and had the bird in the scope for about 30 sec when it
departed. The most outstanding feature of this bird is the pattern of large
black spots on the lower breast and belly, striking with a frontal view.
Other shorebirds in the first (almost dry) impoundment were Least,
Semipalmated, and Pectoral Sandpipers, both yellowlegs, and Killdeer. Three
Spotted Sandpipers were at the large (full) impoundment behind the first
one.
Before visiting Easton, I checked the shorebirds at Blackwater NWR and found
the following:
north of Key Wallace Drive, outside refuge:
Least Sandpiper--11
Killdeer--4
also 12 Least Terns and 15 Forster's
Spur to Observation Area (next to Marsh Trail):
Least Sandpiper--15
Semipal. Sandpiper--2
Pectoral Sanpiper--1
Lesser Yellowlegs--2
Greater Yellowlegs--1
Semipal. Plover--1
Killdeer--5
also, imm BC Night Heron, and 2 Caspian Terns flying by
area opposite Wildlife Drive from Pool 3c:
Least Sandpiper--6
Semipal. Sandp.--2
Pectoral Sandp.--1
Lesser Yellowlegs--1
Spotted Sandpiper--2
Short-billed Dowitcher--1
At Lake Allen, Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract on Tue., 20 July were:
Solitary Sandpiper--4
Spotted Sandpiper--3
Semipalmated Sandpiper-1 (rare at the refuge)
Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie, MD