Field Ornithology 2021 - May 28

Location:
Ethan Allen Homestead
Delta Park
Derway Island

Checklists:
https://ebird.org/vt/checklist/S89126717
https://ebird.org/vt/checklist/S89132761
https://ebird.org/vt/checklist/S89135075
https://ebird.org/vt/checklist/S89137107
https://ebird.org/vt/checklist/S89141047

Started the day off at Ethan Allen Homestead which was a site I missed while in DC. I walked along the River Trail loop to the river and then hung a right onto the trail that leads off the property. I didn't get very far because I wasn't feeling very well (back pain). I went home for a little bit to lie down and hope to rebound for the rest of the morning. I then headed to Delta Park to try to get some waterbirds I hadn't seen earlier in the week. I was rewarded with Marsh Wrens and Caspian Terns which were new for me this week.

After spending some time out on the beach/mud flats, I walked along the bike path all the way to the North Ave. intersection and walked over to Derway Island. Along the bike path, I added a Spotted Sandpiper which I was able to ID thanks to the constant butt bobbing and a Belted Kingfisher by call. At Derway Island I saw a Great Egret flying along the river and added a Least Flycatcher to the list, singing in the woods next to the river.

On my walk back to the car parked at Delta Park, I was determined to get another shorebird, so I headed back out to the beach. My persistence was rewarded with a mystery sandpiper. I narrowed my ID down to Least Sandpiper or Semipalmated Sandpiper. What was throwing me off was the color of the legs which seemed too dark to be Least Sandpiper but not not dark enough to be Semipalmated. This was probably a result of the distance between me and the bird and the bad light caused by an overcast sky. I got many digiscoped photos with my binoculars and phone and also a video. Allan was then able to help me narrow my ID down to a Least Sandpiper. It was a great way to end the morning.

Posted on May 28, 2021 11:43 PM by lizamorse