August 27, 2004
Sludge, glorious sludge
The week's birding continues to spring surprises. I dipped Semipalmated Sandpiper for the umpteenth time at the City of Davis Wetlands, but did run into a Willet, the Western Gull, 2 Marbled Godwits and a Long-billed Curlew.
Joan and I then checked out the sludge pond behind the wastewater treatment plant. This small pond is very attractive to shorebirds, the best of which was this Solitary Sandpiper, my second of the fall!
On Wednesday morning I was joined by Sami LaRocca on my morning rounds at Putah picnic ground and Willowbank Ditch. We saw a fair selection of migrants including Lazuli Bunting, several Black-throated Gray Warblers, a singing Wilson's Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Western Tanager. Scott Morrical picked up a MacGillivray's Warbler at Willowbank. Sami and I failed to relocate this but did run into a Western Wood-Pewee (my first of the fall).
Today Joan and I battled against strong winds at the Wetlands, and managed to pull a single Baird's Sandpiper out of Tract 6. On returning to the sludge pond, we picked up a variety of shorebirds on the levee, including this Marbled Godwit...
... and a fine juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher (note barred tertials).
This bird was obligingly keeping company with Stilts and Yellowlegs (of both species), rather than hiding in the Dowitcher flocks!
Thanks for the annotation!
I had a good time and learned something I could apply on the trip I took to Bodega Bay Sat.
I was able to identfy a Wilson's alone that the entire group relocated aboout 10 minutes later.
I hope your move goes well.
Keep in touch about your morning outing just give my cell a jingle if you are going to be in a location I can join up with you, or if you don't have wheels where you'd like to go (i.e. Davis wet lands) I can provide that, If not otherwise engaged.
Ciao,
Sami