After quite a bit of searching in light but annoying rain, I
eventually found the previously reported Ruddy Turnstone at Lake
Needwood, Rockville, Montgomery County at just after 10 a.m. this
morning, September 2.
Earlier, Claire Wolfe and I had searched without success for about a
half-hour, both north and south of Needwood Rd., which crosses the
north end of the lake.
When at last seen, the Turnstone was on the south side of the road,
initially too far away to i.d. easily. Then it flew much closer to
the road and could be seen easily through binoculars. The bird is
very dark above and in non-breeding plumage. My attempts at
digiscoping in the rain and poor light resulted in probably the worst
photos I've ever taken!
Other shorebirds in the vicinity were several Greater Yellowlegs, a
Lesser Yellowlegs, two Solitary Sandpipers, a Spotted Sandpiper, 7
Semipalmated Plover, a Killdeer, 4 Semipalmated Sandpipers and about
a dozen Least Sandpipers. In short, this location is well worth
visiting. There is a lot more water than a few days ago, but a lot
of mud is still exposed on both sides of the road.
Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD
D. H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda MD 20817-3845
Tel/Fax: (301) 530-5764
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