Posted by Raul U on August 18, 2003 at 15:19:08:
In Reply to: Upland Sandpiper posted by Stefan on August 18, 2003 at 09:45:40:
Last week, Stefan and I toyed with the possibility of breaking the Shorebird Big Day record on Saturday or Sunday. As the weekend got closer, we decided that quality viewing would be better than running all over the place in a mad frenzy. Then Saturday came and as the birding got better, we couldn't help wonder if it was still possible:
Lucky Hammock and Benito Juarez:
Greater Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
Upland Sandpiper
Tigertail Beach:
Wilson's Plover
Piping Plover
Snowy Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Sanderling
Red Knot
Marbled Godwit
Short-billed Dowitcher
Ruddy Turnstone
Willet
American Oystercatcher
Fort Myer's Beach:
Dunlin
Only twenty species, but we're not complaining. A Sunday trip to Fort DeSoto produced Least Sandpiper, Whimbrel, and Long-billed Curlew, bringing the weekend's total up to twenty-three. Interestingly enough, we didn't pick up the Least Sandpiper in Lucky Hammock Saturday. Not seen at all in the trip were Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, and Lesser Yellowlegs. We never stopped at the Homestead Racetrack nor at the PB Sod Farms. I believe it's still possible to see all these species in one day...but you have to do the mad frenzy thing.
Cheers,
Rock Jetty