Hi Everyone,

As Glen has already posted (thanks, Glen!), I had a surprise at Tanyard Marsh this afternoon in Caroline County.  After completing Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas training at Trap Pond State Park in the morning, I figured I'd do a little birding in Caroline and Talbot Counties in the afternoon.  I had planned to make a brief stop at Tanyard Marsh (along Rt 331, just E of the Choptank River) on my way to Talbot County.  As I started birding Tanyard, I was glad to see Wilson's Snipe (4), Greater Yellowlegs (at least 5), Lesser Yellowlegs (4), Pectoral Sandpiper (15), and Dunlin (2).  Then, as I scanned for a couple peeps that had escaped from me, I noticed a shorebird with very "unruly" plumage.  The bird was mostly obscured by marsh grass at first, but I stayed with it, and it eventually came into full view--a Ruff (in the sense of species I am sure and also in the sense of sex I think; i.e., a probable male)!

I first saw the bird at about 3:30 pm.  I called a few folks who I thought might be interested and hopefully nearby.  Mike Walsh and Chris Dominick decided to make the drive up from Salisbury.  As I waited for Mike and Chris, I kept an eye on the bird and took a few notes.  Perhaps most noticeable were the floppy wing feathers that were not sleeked against the body (as in nearby yellowlegs) but rather blowing in the breeze.  Most of these wing feathers were "tiger-barred" with black and orange.  The bird was noticeably larger than adjacent Pectoral Sandpipers, and seemed to be slightly larger than Greater Yellowlegs although I didn't have a direct comparison with an adjacent bird.  The Ruff was not in full breeding plumage, although it did--while in certain postures, like when it was leaning forward--show "expanded" feathering around the neck.  The nape, crown, throat, and upper breast of the bird were clearly barred with black and white (barring especially fine on the nape).  More extensive black coloration was found lower on the breast.  The belly and undertail were white.  The face of the bird showed a distinctive pale gray area around the black eye.  The legs were bright orange; the bill was short, deeper at the base, and entirely black to my eye.  The underwing was bright white--seen when the bird opened its wings while standing on the ground and also seen in flight.  The uppertail coverts were extensively white, but there was a dark area medially.  I could not tell if this dark area reached the tail tip, but it did appear to narrow distally.

When I first saw the Ruff, it was feeding actively, moving around and jabbing at the ground on little islands in the marsh (not as frantic as a Reddish Egret, but quite active).  More than once it lived up to its specific epithet by moving quickly toward other birds (e.g., Pectoral Sandpipers), causing them to fly a short distance away.  At least twice the bird leaned forward and remained still (behaviorally reminiscent of a hunting heron)--a display?  Or feeding behavior?

I first saw the Ruff on the south side of the highway, but later it flew across to the north side.  Twice toward the end of my observation, the bird settled in as if to rest, but did not remain still for long.  The tide was coming in; I don't know if that influenced the bird.

I suggest that this was a male bird transitioning to breeding plumage, however I don't have much experience with this species and am eager to hear opinions from all you Ruff experts out there.  Sorry, no photos; I guess it's about time that Carol and I replace our camera...

At about 4:40 pm, the bird took flight again, crossing to the south side of the highway and circling over the marsh there.  Then it came back to the north, flying right by me--low and close.  I figured it would settle back into the marsh, but it kept flying north.  I watched it with my binoculars, hoping and cussing, as it continued north along the river.  Eventually it was just a dark speck, and then all I saw was blue where it had been.

I continued to scan the area in case it returned, but it seemed unlikely.  Mike and Chris arrived about 20 minutes later, and all I could do was greet them with a thumbs down.  We birded the area for a little while.  We scanned the shorebirds, we watched the Green-winged Teal.  A pair of Wood Duck flew in, and Mike spotted a Mute Swan--another new Caroline bird for me.  But no sign of the Ruff.

Have fun,

Ron Gutberlet
Salisbury, MD