We left Amherst early, arriving at the Rip Ryder shuttle in Chatham at 08:15hrs. This gave us the best part of eight hours on the South Beach, and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the much anticipated shorebird spectacle. Cool, blustery conditions gave way to a fine afternoon as a passing cold front moved out to sea. Birds were everywhere, so much so, that we decided not to make an attempt at counting them and just enjoyed the visual spectacle, and the wide array of plumages on view.

We recorded the following; Black-bellied Plover, WILSON’S PLOVER, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs (3), Willet, (Hudsonian) Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper (25+), Dunlin (1, black bellied adult), Short-billed Dowitcher, and Wilson’s Phalarope (1 juvenile).

Many sterna terns were present as well, and it was good to see so many hatch-year Roseate Terns on the flats, many of which were still being fed by adults. We also saw plenty of Common and Least Terns, and a couple of first-summer Arctic Terns. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was also present but, in truth, we spent little time going through the gull flocks with so many shorebirds to see.

All in all, a pretty mesmerizing day.  A visit to the South Beach was long overdue for both of us. Special thanks go to Scott Surner and Val Miller for finding, and showing us the Wilson’s Plover.