Highlights: Hudsonian Godwit, Red Knot, Black Tern
WEATHER: Today was dominated by rain, drizzle, and more rain. The visibility suffered due to the frequent downpours but temperatures were warm throughout. The winds were moderate out of the SE all day.
WATERBIRDS: Compared to yesterday, we had a lot of diversity this morning. Gadwall, American Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, and Green-winged Teal were all seen. The usual Common Loons, Common Mergansers along with a couple Red-breasted Mergansers were also present. I saw no Red-necked or Horned Grebes.
SHOREBIRDS: The shorebirds were simply exciting today! I first found a flock of 4 Red Knots along with a Black-bellied Plover during the second hour of the count. (As it turns out, the knots & plover stayed in the vicinity all day). Then in the 5th hour of the count between showers (around 11 am), I was shocked to have a flock of 27 Hudsonian Godwits zipping past the point. Without hesitation, they continued their flight into the wind over the bay. Not more than 10 minutes later a second flock of Hudsonian Godwits came zipping by, this flock double the size of the first; 52 birds. A total of 79 (!) Hudsonian Godwits. I don't have the materials with me, but could this be a Michigan high count?
Other shorebirds seen today included Semipalmated Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, and Baird's Sandpiper.
Today was also a good day for Terns. Over a hundred Common Terns spent much of the day meandering around the point, the bay, and the lake. Mixed in were at least two Black Terns, one of them a juvenile.
More tomorrow!
Cory Gregory
arcticory@gmail.com
Waterbird Counter
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