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Re: Marbled Godwit in Wicomico!--9/11/2011

From:

Ronald Gutberlet

Reply-To:

Ronald Gutberlet

Date:

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:10:47 -0400

So...  Marbled Godwit chase, part 2 (original post at bottom of message):

As soon as Mike Walsh spread the word about Sam's find, folks started to converge--locals like Carol Broderick, Ruth Kelly, Carol Gutberlet, and I; but also folks from as far away as Easton (Jim Brighton) and even Berkeley, CA!  Well, ok, Zach Baer was visiting Salisbury anyway...

I picked up Zach, and Carol G. followed.  Before we could get to Hampshire Rd though, Mike called again.  The bird had already flown.  Ugh!  We were so close and continued to Hampshire anyway, hoping the godwit might return.  Mike, Zach, Carol B., and I scanned the puddles at the end of Hampshire Rd by the RR tracks, where Sam had found the bird.  Carol G. veered off to do errands.  Hope was not high as we scanned the puddles and surrounding turf.

Mike's phone rang.  Sam again.  He had a (the?) Marbled Godwit at the big puddle on Jersey Rd (near Adkins Rd).  Tripods closed, and off we all went, arriving at Jersey Rd in time to learn that the godwit had flown again!  Jim Brighton arrived, then Ruth, then Carol G.  As we discussed our options for godwit searching, we enjoyed a nice group of 11 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS on Jersey Rd.

Sam had seen the godwit fly off to the NW, and Jim mentioned Waller Rd as an option.  But ultimately we decided to check Hampshire Rd again first.  Mike would remain at Jersey to keep watch there.  Next thing we knew--incredibly--Jim B was texting us that the (a?) Marbled Godwit was present at Hampshire Rd where all the excitement had started.  Zach and I arrived soon after, then Mike, then Sam.  This time the bird cooperated and great scope views were had by all.  I took a bunch of digiscopes.  With luck, maybe the bird will stay around for other folks to enjoy; it was feeding actively near the puddles.

In case some don't know what's so exciting about godwits in Wicomico Co, here are a few interesting facts:

1. Today's Marbled Godwit was Wicomico County bird #250 for Jim Brighton and #249 for Mike Walsh.  Congrats, guys!  I am happy to be at 230 in Wicomico now myself.

2. Of even greater significance, prior to this season, Sam Dyke had NEVER seen Hudsonian nor Marbled Godwit in Wicomico Co.  We need to do a little more checking, but these birds may represent first county records for both species.  What do you think, Bob?  Also, check out Sam and Carol B.'s Wicomico Co life totals in the 2010 Brag Book:  297 and 291 respectively.  All those birds, and no godwits.

Many thanks to Sam for finding these great birds!

Have fun,

Ron Gutberlet
Salisbury, MD



________________________________________
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [] On Behalf Of Ronald Gutberlet []
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 12:40 PM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Marbled Godwit in Wicomico!--9/11/2011

Hi Everyone,

Sam Dyke's thorough coverage of local shorebird habitat has paid off again this season.  This morning he found a MARBLED GODWIT at the Hampshire Rd turf farm.  Mike Walsh spread the word, and the chase was on...  and what a chase it was!  I'll post about that next.

Have fun,

Ron Gutberlet
Salisbury, MD

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