I am happy to report that two Wilson's Phalaropes were
present at Cameron Run this afternoon. I found them at about
2:15 PM and they were still there when I had to leave at
2:45 PM. (High tide at Hunting Creek was at 2:30 PM today.)
I appreciate that Elaine Serlin mentioned the time she saw
the two at Hunting Creek this morning, which was between
11:30 and 12:15 PM. Maryland birders, Gail Mackiernan and
Barry Cooper, also saw THREE Wilson's Phalaropes at Hunting
Creek this morning.
Over the last three years, I have spent many hours at both
Hunting Creek and Cameron Run in July and August and have
hypothesized about the movements of the shorebirds between
the two places. There is no question that the proximity to
the birds, the lighting, and the comfort level for birders
is better at Cameron Run. There also seems to be no doubt
that many, if not most of the birds, move between the two
places. The question has been, what is the best time to find
them at Cameron Run?
Generally, it seems to be best to be at Cameron Run, which
is non-tidal, around the time of high tide at Hunting Creek,
and it is beginning to seem like an hour to an hour and a
half before high tide is the very best time for Cameron
Run. It is very helpful for birders to mention the time of
day and the numbers of the species such as dowitchers, Stilt
Sandpipers, and Wilson's Phalaropes--species seen in
relatively small numbers. That makes it easier to confirm
that the birds are actually moving between the two locations
and when they do so. I find that hypotheses are constantly
in need of revision!
The two Wilson's Phalaropes were doing a veritable ballet at
Cameron Run this afternoon as they turned in synchronous
circles. On Sunday AM at Hunting Creek, I saw just one
feeding on the mud and so I was thrilled to see two in the
water, foraging in their most distinctive way.
Paula Sullivan
Alexandria, VA
paulas@xxxxxxxxx
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