I had a nice morning at Hog Island WMA in Surry County. There was a decent
amount of shorebirds at the north end with most located at a grassy, muddy
oasis in the middle of the cornfield. To see the birds, you have to walk east
down the path opposite the observation deck until you reach the intersection
with the path that runs south. At this point, you can head back west on the
other side of the cornfield walking along the marsh towards the duck blind
until it opens up, revealing the muddy area. The birds there included over 200
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, a few WESTERN and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, LEAST
SANDPIPER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER and a single STILT SANDPIPER. With a
little stealth, it was easy to get close to the birds for good study. Seven
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER were working the edge of the
marsh a little further south from the main body of birds. Terns today included
CASPIAN, ROYAL, FORSTER'S and LEAST. Not much else noteworthy but a fun day
getting back out in the field and looking at shorebirds. A link to an ebird
list is below for those interested. Good birding.
Adam D'Onofrio
Dinwiddie Co.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14693537 ;
