Just returned from a long weekend in Chincoteague. Birds of note included a
flock of 8 non-breeding Marbled Godwits. This was a first for me and all
guides point to juv or non-breeders as their cinnamon plumage was evident. I
saw them on a sandbar at low tide near Black Duck Marsh on Saturday while
kayaking from Chicoteague towards Tom's Cove. Paddled up and grounded the
kayak at 40 feet away from the flock. Returning back toward town three hours
later they were no longer present. Skates were working the same area and
splashed and hunted for small fish around Tom's Cove.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday I saw a Gull Billed Terns along the Wildlife Loop
on the Refuge at Assateague. Sunday I actually saw three Gull Billed Terns in
the same location - flying along the Nothern most road of the loop. I saw them
both early moring and Sunday noted the threesome at 5 p.m.
On the road to the refuge just before the bridge I saw a Clapper Rail with four
chicks at low tide at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
On Saturday morning there were 2 juv. White Ibis at Snow Goose Pool, seen from
the road to the beach hunting with Snowy Egrets. They were mostly white with
just a little brown, so the blended in with the egrets at first glance.
Lots of Bobwhites around. Met Dick Roberts banding birds this weekend at the
Woodland Trail area. Nothing special dropped in the nets while I was there,
but a Pine Warbler flew in to check things out.
Good Birding and stay cool.
Denise Ryan
Washington, DC
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