I got rained out again from farm work, so Plan B lately has been to go to
McElroy Lake for the afternoon. Again I was not disappointed. Shorebird
diversity has decreased but abundance has increased, in thanks largely due to
the massive flocks of Semi Sandpipers that have arrived right on schedule.
Rickey Shive and I were standing in breathtaking early evening light at the
southwest corner of the lake and I scanned the masses twice, deciding I was
comfortable that I was looking at at least 3000 shorebirds, probably 2500 of
them Semis. Another 500 were Semi Plovers.
Also present was a new Red-necked Phalarope, either a dingy female or a bright
male; 12 Stilt Sandpipers, 4 Short-billed Dowitchers, the season's first
Sanderling, some Dunlin, and 10 Black-bellied Plovers. Earlier, after the
second pass by a Peregrine Falcon, 11 Ruddy Turnstones that had been foraging
on the south end appeared to pull out. Also three species of terns were
foraging over the lake. Rickey noticed a Northern Harrier flying along the
northern shore of the lake.
During the first pass of the Peregrine, I heard an odd call note headed towards
me and realized it was a Yellow-headed Blackbird. I confirmed the ID in my
binocs as it passed by me, but I then whipped out the camera and tried
unsuccessfully to get photos. It turned back north and appeared to head back to
the northwest corner of the lake, but Rickey and I could not subsequently find
it.
bpb, Louisville
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