Part 3 July/August Shorebirding Journal-
August 16, Hammonasset- The morning started off with rain, but cleared a short time later. Great Egret-
I was standing along the main road in the Park photographing the flocks of Least Sandpipers that were feeding in the shallow marsh. I looked up and spotted this Solitary Sandpiper flying by-
Lesser Yellowlegs-
Semi-palmated Sandpiper-
Immature Little Blue Heron-
This pair of Kingbirds put on a wonderful show. They seemed curious and stayed near by; maybe they liked getting their pictures taken?-
The Solitary Sandpiper was relocated by Jim Carr later that morning in the small puddles at the western end of the Park-
Kildeer-
August 17, Hammonasset- Blue-grey Gnatcatcher on the Moraine Trail-
Coopers Hawk-
Semi-palmated Plovers-
Osprey-
At the end of the Moraine Trail, Black-bellied Plover and a single Ruddy Turnstone-
The Terns gathered in the usual place-
The abstract form of Jellyfish painted the shoreline with color-
I am quite fond of Least Sandpipers. You can just about always count on them to be there when most everything else is gone-
Three Little Blue Herons-
August 20, Hammonasset- Just as I started my walk at the beginning of the Moraine Trail, a Coopers Hawk flew by heading for the marsh on the west side of the pebble beach-
Four Black Ducks found the quiet cove perfect for their morning preening-
On the pebble beach, I noticed two more immature Coopers Hawks perched on drift debris under the watchful eye of a dozen Crows-
The Crows tested the inexperience of the immature Hawks, and chased them around.......
.....and then the Hawks turned the tables and chased the Crows. Looks like the Hawks are learning-
Finally the Hawks had had enough!-
A few Spotted Sandpipers "rock-hopped" along the Moraine Trail-
The Bobolinks were more accomodating-
This Coopers Hawk was standing on the edge of the field by the Bobolinks-
August 21, Sandy Point, West Haven- Not many Shorebirds on the sand bar, other than a few peeps, and this Oystercatcher family-
Unfortunately, the fledgling has a growth on its forehead-
Approx. sixty-five Common Terns were roosting at the end of the sandbar-
In the Tern gathering, there were two Roseate Terns (one on right)-
The lagoon had a few small groups of Short-billed Dowitcher-
August 23, Hammonasset- Along the Moraine Trail, Spotted Sandpipers-
Hummingbirds were numerous-
Swarms of small flies.......
......and of course, Willow Flycatchers-
Check back soon for upcoming reports......Early September Shorebirding, Gloucester Whale and Pelagic Bird trip, Rhode Island overnight Canyon Pelagic, and Plymouth Whale and Seabird trip.
Keith Mueller Killingworth
