Birding
[Birding (and more) in Calhoun County and beyond
Just wanted a quick place to put this to confirm my initial thoughts. The first pic is from 8/2 (2nd day since first sighting) of the American Golden-Plover. The second pic is from August 15th. The third one is from August 21st (the last day it was sighted there).
Looks to me like it sure fattened up some over that, at least, 3 week time period it visited here. What a great opportunity to study a bird that we would not normally be able to see around here. I was able to see this bird 10 times over that 3 week time period, and honestly wish it could have been more.
It will be a long time before I forget the feeling of seeing that face looking back at me through the binoculars, and saying out loud (to only myself) "That's a Plover!!!". Shortly accompanied by the 5 minutes of ("terror") trying to relocate the bird with my camera. Having no experience with Plovers (I initially ID'd it as Black-bellied), I knew I would need to get some pics to figure this one out. Yes I am not that good..yet. 3 weeks of a great way to balance some intense chaos from other areas of Life.
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This little flooded cow pasture has been pretty amazing for 3 weeks now. I'm working on a comprehensive list of the birds seen here, and individuals that have shown up to check it out. The American Golden-Plover continues still, and is visibly plumping up for its long migration to South America.
Starting to get a little ho-hum that the American Golden-Plover is still present at this Cow pasture. This location continues to provide excellent opportunities for viewing various shorebirds that really have very few other opportunities to settle in our county. I had 9 shorebirds there today, including the Plover. Excellent looks at Least Sandpipers, and the above Lesser Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpipers. A couple of Wilson's Snipe were hanging around, as well as Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers. Just a couple of Greater Yellowlegs were present, and a plethora of Killdeer. Morning at this location is perfect for getting some excellent soft light, if only I were a better photographer. Still no new birds today, despite hitting up Duck Lake and Duck Lake WTP. The Great Egrets flying over Duck Lake, just could not be turned in to American White Pelicans. The WTP is relatively "dead" as the water level is just to high. There is not enough mud or shore showing to coax anything but Killdeer and a couple of Spotted Sandpipers in there. Hopefully we don't miss any of the Phalaropes that seem to be popping up in Michigan lately.
The first American Golden-Plover for Calhoun County continues for at least the 12th day now. This little flooded cow pasture in Lee Township has been outstanding for shorebirds the past 2 weeks.
Along with the Plover, the first record of Short-billed Dowitcher has been spotted at this same field. Other shorebirds seen at this location are:
Not only the quantity of shorebirds has been overwhelming, but the opportunities for some decent photos of birds has been outstanding. |
AuthorMy exploits in my latest passion, Birding...not Bird-watching;-) Archives
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