During my lunchtime walk around Schoolhouse Pond, I saw two Semipalmated
Plovers foraging on the mudflats near the rear observation platform. The birds
were with a fairly large group of Least Sandpipers running about on the mud.
In all, I counted 2 Semi Plovers, 11 Least Sandpipers, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3
Spotted Sandpipers, and 1 Solitary Sandpiper.
Other birds present included several singing Yellow Warblers, Northern Parula,
1 Prairie Warbler, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, many Yellow-rumped Warblers, and an
American Redstart.
Other shorebirds seen at the pond this week include a Wilson's Snipe, Greater
Yellowlegs, and the usual Killdeer. This spring has been the best I can recall
for shorebirds at Schoolhouse Pond, with many birds of various species
foraging on the mudflats at the rear of the pond each day.
Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS
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