ML325312141

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

*Rare statewide, only the second record I know of in Virginia Beach with the last one 15-17 Aug 2014 (Bob Ake) less than half a mile away on the Whitehurst Tract. Continuing female found by June McDaniels earlier this morning in the southern impoundment. A bit shorter than Lesser Yellowlegs, though with a plumper body, and significantly more buffy/cream-colored plumage with dense spotting on the chest. Larger, and fewer coverts, giving it the "scalloped" appearance. Stronger, black bill, not as sharp as LEYE. Legs not really seen since it was always standing in water or in flight, but U-shaped white rump patch clearly evident among the mixed shorebird flock as it moved around in the air. Extensively, though mostly distantly photographed as the flock was very skittish. June found this bird in the western-most field of the impoundment, but I first got on it in the 3rd field heading east (ditches delineate the "fields") among a group of GRYE, LEYE, LBDO and DUNL. After Baxter & Steve arrived at the spot and got good looks, we spent the next hour or so slow-walking the south edge as it moved around with the shorebird flock. Last seen right back where June had it, though we saw it as far east as the 6th field. Water is fairly high in some spots, mostly when crossing the ditches, and can only be done along the south edge with boots on (15" boots did fine). These shorebirds disappear into the taller vegetation of the impoundment, and are very skittish so the best way to search for the Ruff is with a scope, moving slowly along the south edge and checking among any GRYE/LEYE groups.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

200

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/800 sec

Dimensions

6240 pixels x 3857 pixels

Original file size

8.8 MB