FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT: Minor Clark Hatchery Shorebirds

["Gerald Robe" <ghrobe@xxxxxxxxx>]

I went out to the hatchery this afternoon to see if I could get a look at the 
Piping Plover. Thanks to Mike Wright's directions, I was able to locate the 
bird in pond #10 where it seems to be hanging out. I was able to get several 
decent pictures through my spotting scope.

In addition to the Piping Plover and other birds that have been reported today, 
I also saw a Short-billed Dowitcher, Spotted Sandpiper and a Wilson's Snipe, 
Osprey and Red-shouldered Hawk.

Despite the occasional showers and the muggy conditions, this was by far the 
best shore birding day I've had at the Hatchery this season.

I also saw and photographed 2 northern watersnakes basking on one of the 
concrete drains at the end of one pond. One was in the water with only it's 
head sticking out of the water, but from what I could see under the water it 
was probably 3' long. The one that was visible was considerably larger and 
looked like it had been eating well. I'd estimate that it was 4' +.