FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT: Red knot and wood storks at Jonathan Creek

["Ben Yandell" <by@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave Roemer, Robert and Bonnie Dever, and I were at Jonathan Creek this
morning.  The good news is, we saw both target species.  The bad news is, we
may have witnessed the wood storks' departure.

The juvenile red knot was seen in several locations around the mudflats.  It
is fairly easy to locate.  Just look for a large, pale shorebird in the
flocks.  Short-billed dowitchers (2?), many pectoral sandpipers, a few least
sandpipers, and plenty of killdeer accompanied the knot.  The flocks move
around every few minutes, so keep looking all around the mudflat or you will
not spot the knot.  (Be careful.  The mud is soft, and a couple of 360s
might drill you into it.)

After we'd been there awhile, Dave spotted the two juvenile wood storks
along the shore to the left as viewed from the point (which you reach by
slogging out from the road past the few bald cypress trees).  The storks
seemed content to preen and walk along the shore, but took flight after
awhile, soaring literally into the clouds and streaming off out of sight
(even with binoculars) toward the south / southwest. 

Unless your name is Bonnie, and the wood storks fly directly over you while
you're at the car, you will almost certainly have to wade in the mud to be
assured of seeing all the possible locations, so bring appropriate footwear,
and plan for a place to put the muddy mess back in your car when you're
finished.

Ben Yandell
Louisville