When it comes to shorebirds, quality is more important than quantity…
Temp in the 40s, mostly cloudy, south winds, occasional drizzle.
The change in the weather has brought a change in the birds.
Still three Tufted Ducks on the Airport pond — the only ones we found today. Nothing much else in the southern end, so we headed north to Clam Lagoon. Two Bar-tailed Godwits were on the flats.
On the peninsula, two Sanderlings (different than the ones I had last week) brightened my day.
Sanderlings, Clam Lagoon, May 25, 2014.
At Shotgun Lake, a lingering pair of Buffleheads afforded me a photo-op.
Bufflehead, Shotgun Lake, May 25, 2014.
We drove around to the Seawall and had three Ruddy Turnstones and a couple of Pacific Loons. The number of Black Oystercatchers has increased, with multiple sightings each day now. At Candlestick Bridge we found an Arctic Loon.
On the way back by the Seawall, just as the road drops down to a lower level, I saw two large shorebirds sitting atop the rocks, maybe thirty feet away. At first glance, I assumed they were the two godwits from the flats, but I was quickly disabused of that thought when I saw the long curved bills. My next thought was Whimbrel, but Barb thought they looked too buffy. It turned out Barb was correct. They were Bristle-thighed Culews!
We had seen a Bristle-thighed Curlew back in 2007, when one was found by another tour group. It was way out on one of the rocky outcrops off shore. Although it could be identified, it was hardly satisfying. These guys were more like it!
Bristle-thighed Curlew, Seawall, May 25, 2014. (One-legged variety)
Bristle-thighed Curlew, Seawall, May 25, 2014. (two-legged variety)
Bristle-thighed Curlew, Seawall, May 25, 2014. What a schnoz!
We continued around the lagoon and stopped at the south overlook to scan the flats again. The two godwits were still there. Barb saw another shorebird and pointed me in the right direction, I quickly saw that it was a Ruff — a black one. Male Ruffs come in a variety of colors — this one was mostly black and rufous. The namesake ruff around its neck gives these birds a very peculiar shape.
Ruff, Clam Lagoon, May 25, 2014.
Ruff, Clam Lagoon, May 25, 2014.
Ruff, Clam Lagoon, May 25, 2014.
We bid farewell to John’s group as they headed off to Attu. We wish them well.
Our trip list is now at 61. More to come.