Temp in the low 50s, partly sunny, light to moderate NW wind.

Still no action at the feeders, just Rosy-finches, longspurs, and Song Sparrows.

Kulik Bay was flat as glass and had a lot of guillemots and puffins, but no auklets this morning. The view of the bay from Palisades Overlook was practically devoid of birds.

The tide was out at Clam Lagoon and the Common Teal (Eurasian Green-winged Teal) had returned to the open lagoon after several days of hiding in the hidden ponds nearby. However, no shorebirds.

The seawall was active and provided our first Red-necked Grebes for the trip. There were a few Sanderlings, Turnstones, and Rock Sandpipers.

We walked a long stretch of the road near where we had the bunting yesterday, but turned up nothing. After studying online photos today, we are now confident that the bird was a Rustic Bunting. We have no way to prove it (ie., no photos), but that’s the way it goes. Not the most rewarding lifer experience, but maybe it will show itself again during our stay.

The Tufted Duck is still here, and since they normally winter here, we assume it will stay.

Later in the afternoon, we birded Contractor’s Marsh and found at least 9 Pectoral Sandpipers and 2 Long-billed Dowitchers.

This brings our trip total to 47. Our average for a September trip is 51, so we expect to get some more. So far, the biggest miss appears to be Northern Pintail. They nest out here, yet we haven’t found any this trip. However, those shovelers that we had are also playing hard-to-get, so maybe the are just in one of the many secluded ponds out here and will join the other waterfowl shortly.

Sorry, no photos today.