Hi, everyone.
Leo Weigant and I searched for the Ruff from 7:30 until almost 9 AM this morning, to no avail. We carefully examined every Yellowlegs on both sides of Wildlife Drive and after finding 4 Least sandpipers and three Dunlin, I had my hand on the car door, ready to leave and go to work. At that point, a small group of mixed shorebirds including some peeps flew into the mudflats to the left of the road. One of them looked very odd. I put up my bins and almost did a double-take, because there was the RUFF. We watched it from about 8:58 until 9:10. It acted very aggressively toward some of the Lesser Yellowlegs, chasing them off. It preened very thoroughly for a while in the water and then started to feed. The bill is slightly bicolored, especially on the bird's left side, but not boldly. Plumage was very bold patterned on the back, however, with dark flight feathers with prominent white margins, much darker overall
than the Yellowlegs. Chunky, hump-backed appearance and tiny head with shorter bill gave it a totally distinctive appearance, even at first glance. The legs were also a rich yellow-orange color, just slightly darker and less bright than that of Yellowlegs'. It is also about 10% larger than a Lesser Yellowlegs, and probably at least 20% heavier. The feathering was fairly "ruffled" on the breast as well, especially when the wind blew, but this bird is not in breeding plumage as everyone yesterday noted. It may be just starting to molt, given its ruffled appearance.
The bird is best viewed from Wildlife drive after Stop 10: when you are opposite the Eagle/Osprey Cam and the visitor center, near where the road bends sharply back to the right, there are some mudflats and grassy areas off to the left. The Ruff along with several other shorebirds was only about 75-100 yards from the road out on these mudflats.
Ross
--- On Mon, 4/12/10, Dan Haas <> wrote:
From: Dan Haas <>
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Eastern Shore highlights, 11 April 2010
To:
Date: Monday, April 12, 2010, 9:52 AM
Leo & Ross found the RUFF this AM. Best viewed from the wildlife loop,
between marker 10 and Osprey cam. (I think that describes it)
Best,
Dan Haas
On Sunday, April 11, 2010, Mikey Lutmerding <> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I birded the Eastern Shore today, starting at Blackwater, the big highlight
> was the RUFF behind the visitors center. I worked east running into
> migrants and recent arrivals, I heard one White-eyed Vireo at Blackwater and
> ended up with 11 species of warbler for the day (specifics below).
>
> Ovenbird- Pretty much everywhere in appropriate habitat
> Common Yellowthroat- Pretty much everywhere in appropriate habitat
> Prairie Warbler- Mt Olive Church Road, east of Nassawango River
> Yellow-throated Warbler- Throughout Nassawango area
> Yellow-rumped Warbler- Sporadic
> Northern Parula- Mt Olive Church Road where it crosses Nassawango R.
> Prothonotary Warbler- Mt Olive Church Road where it crosses Nassawango R.
> Black-and-White Warbler- mainly around Nassawango area
> Louisiana Waterthrush- mainly around Nassawango area
> American Redstart- Mt Olive Church Road where it crosses Nassawango R.
> Pine Warbler- Pretty much any pine stand
>
> Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were everywhere. On 113 just north of its junction
> with 113 business, there was a flooded field that held 142 Glossy Ibis.
> Ocean City inlet was very slow, but there was a steady stream of Northern
> Gannets heading south trying their hardest not to be blown too close to
> shore. On the way back west, I stopped at the flooded field along Shiloh
> Church Road south of Hurlock, this puddle had one of the most impressive
> concentrations of yellowlegs that I have seen, the final tally was-
>
> Greater Yellowlegs 432
> Lesser Yellowlegs- 70
> Pectoral Sandpiper- 27
> Dunlin- 1
> STILT SANDPIPER- 1
>
> This field certainly has potential for some nice shorebirds in the coming
> weeks.
>
> Photos of some of today's birds can be seen at:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeycerw/
>
> Good Birding!
> Mikey Lutmerding
> Croom, MD
>
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