This morning (04/22/13) my wife, Birgit, and I birded mainly the portion of Delta Lake (Hidalgo Co.) that lies west of FM-88, with an emphasis on shorebirds, including an effort to see the two Hudsonian Godwits (HUGO, the banders' abbreviation) that were seen yesterday. Despite over an hour of careful study of the many shorebirds present and a thorough scope scan of the shoreline, as well as of sandbars and shallows, we were unable to find any HUGOs. A couple of other birders whom we encountered there also had failed to find that species. Despite the apparent absence of that species there this morning, birders may wish to keep in mind that this species has been seen there more than once in earlier years and sometimes in larger numbers than yesterday. Consequently, continued vigilance for the species seems warranted as the shorebird migration builds in intensity. Other shorebird species present at Delta Lake this morning provided plenty to enjoy and from which to learn. Indeed, many of the individuals of the shorebird species present there were transitioning into breeding plumage, whereas some still bore largely winter dress. Because I am tired and need some rest--we birded the entire day yesterday and came home quite late--I will not try to recall, much list here, all the species--including even all the shorebird species--we found at Delta Lake today. I would be remiss, though, if I did not mention the numerous PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, for most of them had considerable breeding plumage. The breeding-plumaged females showed the lovely golden hue that makes them a visual standout and a joy to behold for those who really would look at them. They bore a special elegance and, happy to say, were so plentiful that they could be found over a wide area of the near-shoreline on the road side of this west-side part of Delta Lake. We also noticed a few males of that species, and they looked substantially different than the females, for, to our eyes, they did not provide in anything like the same intensity, the richly golden hue of the female top side and breast, and the male breast was, instead, densely and heavily marked with black, considerably, if not entirely devoid of color, but striking and looking good for its prominent role on the breeding grounds, inflated fully, in support of their mating rituals. Likewise impossible not to mention were perhaps 10-12 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, all evincing some rich, ruddy breeding plumage, and one or two were in truly spectacular condition. A few WILSON'S PHALAROPES were present, and one of them, present on the far shore, was in full, resplendent breeding plumage that easily captured the eye, even at that distance (as viewed though the scope). Perhaps close to two dozen STILT SANDPIPERS fed--usually together as a group--on the far side of the near-road water, but they seemed just starting to don their breeding garb. The small calidris sandpipers present, both LEAST and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, were heading toward breeding plumage, too, and quite a few easily betrayed the error of a widespread stereotype that they lack color and are just "little brown jobs." A couple of this genus might have been Western Sandpiper, but these individuals were so busily preening that a proper assessment of their feathering and even of their bill shape was difficult. In sum, there was much to enjoy at Delta Lake today in the way of shorebirds, despite the apparent absence of the HUGOs. A nice sight other than the shorebirds were at least a dozen elegant, shiningly white Great Egrets, two of which, in high-breeding condition, showed strikingly rich turquoise in the lores (i.e., the space between bill and eyes) and even in the area behind the eyes. This is something that sometimes is not shown or that occasionally is not shown adequately in field guides. It was especially conspicuous because most of that species were not in high-breeding condition and thus did not evince this striking facial adornment. There might well be some more HUGOs that will grace this lake this season, so vigilance is warranted, but, so long as the level of the west-side lake remains suitable (and, especially if its gets a bit more so due to lowering water) one may expect much that is interesting and enjoyable. Wishing everyone the best of spring migration birding, Rex and Birgit Stanford Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner