August 31st, 2005. Hatfield/Whately townline, MA.
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Buff-breasted Sandpipers (8) Tryngites subruficolliis,
and selected species.
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remnants of Hurricane Katrina were more than evident today but I still
couldn't resist the short drive out to Hatfield to look for the
Buff-breasted Sandpipers once again. The intended one hour visit became
three hours, and I sustained a really good soaking, but it was all
worth it. The excellent shorebird show continues and, if anything, has
improved since August 29th. The morning was further enhanced by bumping into
Mark Taylor, Seth Kellogg and Janice Zepko.
In very wet and blustery conditions this morning (09:40 - 12:40hrs) I noted the following;
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
- 8 (7 juv, 1 adult). This was the most that I had in view at the same
time. The flock was at its tightest during the heaviest rain showers,
that's when I was able to acheive this count. In better conditions they would
often split up and disperse throughout the field. Sometimes NO birds
were visible for periods of ten to fifteen minutes. Patience and a good
scope are recommended to enjoy these birds.
Pectoral Sandpiper -1 juv.
Semi-palmated Sandpiper - 1 juv.
Least Sandpiper - 30+ (mostly juvs).
Semi-palmated Plover - 7
Killdeer - 70+
Other birds in the area;
Cooper’s Hawk - 1 juv.
Osprey - 1 flew south. With another moving south 1 over Rt 116 in Amherst.
Bobolink - 2
Susannah Lerman reported that five Buff-breasted and 1 Semi-palmated Sandpiper were still present in the evening.
Above 5 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continue to use our feeders on Baker Street, Amherst.
| Taken using Canon Powershot A-95 through Swarovski HD telescope
and Lecia 10x42 binoculars . |
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