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Posted by Gary Davis on 10:54:59 02/10/12
I was able to find the Bar-tailed Godwit at Flamingo and am posting my
experiences in hopes that it will aid anyone who decides to look for the
bird.
I arrived at the walk in campground on Tuesday the 7th at 1:45 (1.5 hours
before predicted high tide). The tide was already up due to a brisk SE wind.
I saw 9 Willets and no Godwits there between 1:45 and dark. I saw 3
Willets there the next day around high tide. The birds for some reason do
not seem to be coming in there at high tide as reported.
Wednesday I scoped the flats at the Visitors Center but the Godwits were
far out and the light conditions were bad to see color. I then went over to
the walk in campground and parked at the very beginning (west side) of
the mowed area. I walked in to an area of islands and mud flats and saw
Willets and Godwits feeding in close and way out beyond the gap in the
island. As the tide rose (4.5-5.5 hours before high tide) flocks of Willets
started flying in behind the island, heading east to the visitor center area.
The 15th flock or so had 1 Marbled Godwit and the 17th or so flock had a
dozen Marbled Godwits in with the Willets. In the middle of this Godwit
group was a smaller, gray and white bird that stood out with its complete
lack of warm, rufous color, the Bar-tailed Godwit.
I went back on Thursday to try and get a better look at the bird in flight.
The tide was slow to come in due to a stiff NE wind. Today Willets were on
the flats near the bank, with Godwits further out toward the island. The
Godwits moved towards me and others came in from behind the island. A
small, dull Godwit flew in and it was clearly shorter legged (when its knee
was under water a nearby Marbled Godwit had its knee out of the water).
It was dull gray and white with no warm coloration. The Bar-tailed Godwit
fed close in and allowed lengthy study for myself and Chuck and Elaine,
from Penn.
I hope this helps anyone who goes to look for the bird and Good Luck!
Gary Davis
St. Johns, Florida
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