Fledgling Shorebirds
July 29, 2007 · Print This Article
Hazy, hot and humid. This basically sums up the week here in southern Maine. When I say hot, it was by Maine standards. Temps reached a high of 88 F. along coastal locations and climbed to the lower 90’s inland. Dew points were in the 70’s.
This morning, dense fog greeted us as we headed to Goose Rocks Beach. Visibility was less than 100 feet, and the putrid smell of low tide hung in the air. We did not give up however, the fog dissipated quickly as the sun rose above the horizon.
My wife and I, along with fellow birder Bob Malbon, did some bird watching on the mud flats near the back side of the beach. Quite a few fledgling shorebirds were learning the tricks of the trade from the adults birds.
We watched fledgling Piping Plovers feed with the adults, running short distances, then stopping, probing the sand with their stubby bills. At times, the plovers would patter a foot on the surface of the sand, causing any food just under the surface to come up for them to devour.
A single least Tern fledgling was also present on the flats. It was interesting to watch, what looked like to me, adults trying to wean the fledgling. A fish was brought to the young Tern, and when it opened its mouth to take the fish, the adult would pull it away. Most of the adult Least Terns in the area participated in this ritual. At times, the fledgling would take off and fly after the adults, squawking and squealing the whole time.
Saturday morning, my wife and I saw a lone Hudsonian Godwit, along with fledgling Willets and Lesser Yellowlegs. Several flights of Snowy and Great Egrets flew overhead. We watched a Glossy Ibis feed on the mud flats, and then take flight when another called from overhead. Probably the wife wondering where he was at.
We had a good weekend of bird watching. Enjoy the photos we took and as always, comments and criticisms are greatly appreciated.
The very last photo below has us stumped. Can you identify this bird?
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Happy birding!
Technorati Tags: Maine, Goose Rocks Beach, bird watching, shorebirds, photos, bird, birding
Sphere: Related Content
Love seeing your shots John! I think I saw you at GRB on Saturday. I missed the Hudsonian Godwit that day but there was a great looking Whimbrel walking on the shore off the tip of the nest site. My guess at your mystery bird is a Juvenile European Starling. I just checked my Sibley and it has a good drawing of one. Have a good one!
-Doug Hitchcox
Doug;
Thank you for your input on the mystery bird. The Starling is what I was thinking, but something just did not look right. It may just be me and the lack of sleep.
You probably did see me at GRB. I get so involved in birding that I pay attention to little else. I guess I need to take a time out once in a while and see who is around me and meet some new people to share stories with. Maybe we will run into you at another time.
Thank you for stopping by and for your wonderful comments!
John Briggs
This time your unknown is a young European Starling.
Luc
Luc;
Thank you for your feedback.
It is now known folks, a juvenile European Starling.
John Briggs