I tried for this first  thing this morning. I had planned to drive to the gate and ride a bike in since the park does not normally open till 7 or 730.  Fortunately, it opened early as the gate was open when I arrived at 630.

I first saw it from the boat ramp, a long view, but The river was calm and there was no shimmer.  It was perched on a small mat of hydrilla.  It was the only shorebird that I saw a present.  There was also a number of terns.  Although it was high tide and there were no visible mudflats, there was 4 or 5 small mats of hydrilla on the PG side, and the phalarope appeared to be resting on one.

It was standing with a straight side profile and I never saw it move. It was the dark above and the color appeared to be black, the colors were muted due to low light.  It was light from the belly to the head, which appeared to have a dark eyestripe. This was not something I would normally id easily, especially at a distance, and I had to comepare it with the black terns that were also standing nearby in order distinguish it from them.

I think it was a RN since it seemed to have a small bill compared to a Wilsons.   I walked to the observation deck, but when I arrived it was gone.  I waited for it to return for 1 hour, but a pair of adult eagles landed on a nearby stump  in the river, and seem to be the reason why there were no birds on the hydrilla mats.

I had to go and left wishing I had a better view, but was happy to at least have seen it from a distance.  I think it may be good at low tide later this afternoon or eve, but I will be in NJ.  Good lucky anyone who tries  here!

P.s. - there was a huge number of  RW blackbirds in the wild rice, as well as many soras, and a few bobolinks.

Cheers!
Jeff Shenot
Croom Md

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