Posted by Vince on April 12, 2004 at 18:33:42:
In Reply to: "Ruff" time at STA-5 posted by Rock Jetty on April 11, 2004 at 17:18:15:
Hey Rock:
Marie Gonsalo, along with Brian & Joan Hope and I, found two Ruffs at STA-5 yesterday. One was a yellowish-legged individual on the usual tiny 'island' straight out the main road while a brighter orangish-legged individual was seen 2-3 poles down on the east road (as you enter the impoundment area). Neither of these birds were seen last thursday when I was there but of course the couple of loud airboats being used by the SFWMD employees who where spraying chemicals on the hydrilla didn't help matters. . . .
Vince Lucas
Naples
: On Easter Sunday, April 11th 2004, Albert "Snail Kite" Gonzalez and myself arrived at STA-5 around 10:30 AM to look for our old Eurasian friend(s). We met a birder from NC, Greg (didn't get his last name) who, like Albert, needed the Ruff for a lifer. There were THOUSANDS of shorebirds (more than last week when Charlie Ewell, Doug Suitor and I saw the Ruff for the first time) and Greg was glad two extra pairs of eyes were there to help him out. After about an hour and a half of looking through "ruffed-up" yellowlegs that sent us running like madmen, I finally located one Ruff southeast of the famous little dry bank they routinely fly onto to bathe and preen. It felt great to help those guys in getting their life-bird and to witness their excitement just as Charlie and Doug witnessed mine last week. Now if only I can spot a Greenshank among all those yellowlegs...
: Cheers,
: RJ