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Posted by Robin Diaz on 13:45:36 11/20/08
Wintering shorebirds seem to be in place on Crandon Beach. There are 33 Piping Plovers, including 1 banded bird. The number of banded wintering Piping Plovers has steadily decreased since 2001 and it would be interesting to know if this is a function of fewer banding programs or a population fluctuation. Light and dark birds are in the flock, perhaps reflecting both subspecies (Atlantic coast and prairies) wintering together. Banded birds in 2002 and 2003 represented the Atlantic Maritime and Great Lakes populations and according to the Army Corps of Engineers, this was the first indication that the 2 populations wintered together. A Canadian biologist from Saskatchewan will visit the site December 1 and perhaps he can add more information.
The (probable western race) Snowy Plover that Larry found on 10/30 is still present. Other shorebirds: Semipalmated Plover (50); Wilson's Plover (7); Black-bellied Plover (139); Short-billed Dowitcher (23); Sanderling (340); Dunlin (12); Killdeer (3); Least Sandpiper (1); Ruddy Turnstone (2). A Reddish Egret and a few wintering gulls are present. Ring-billed Gulls and adult Herrings aren't here yet and there are only 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Offshore, small flocks of adult Northern Gannets are joining the immatures. Red-breasted Mergansers are showing up along the Rickenbacker Causeway.
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