Posted by Paul Bithorn on December 12, 2003 at 19:29:37:
In Reply to: Purple Sandpiper...a big YES! posted by Rock Jetty on December 12, 2003 at 17:46:41:
Searched for the Purple Sandpiper at Convoy Point about 3:00 p.m. this afternoon but came up empty. The tide was going out, which further supports Larry's theory about dead high tide being best for the bird to forage along the jetty. A Spotted Sandpiper raised my blood pressure a bit when I saw it hopping and teetering along the jetty. Red-breasted Merganser, Great White Heron,Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Forster's, Caspian and Royal Terns, Laughing, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls and Prairie Warbler were all present as well.
Stopped on the way down to look for Lark Sparrow's at Larry and Penny Thompson Park but there were two Christmas parties in full swing at Picnic Shelters 2 & 4, thus no sparrows. All the ducks John Boyd mentioned were still present.
Just so you don't feel sorry for me, I did see the male Rufous Hummingbird again in Pinecrest, where I met Bob and Paula Parisieau from Marathon. A lifer for Paula, we headed to the residential neighborhood across from Baptist Hospital, where they both got great looks at there life Red-whiskered Bulbul.
Life is good..............can you say Common Merganser? Anybody taking the plunge to Punta Gorda tomorrow? Waiting for Vince Lucas to post as to whether he relocated the rarity late this afternoon.