ML469036801

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

**very rare; continuing. Reappeared on flats at 10:40 EDT. Excellent scope views in flight on two occasions: first while babysitting it for PJL and ESchw, who had been checking Pikes. It bathed, preened, and flew off to the ne shore of the Dredge Spoil Island just as they were setting up at the pavilion. At this point I was far to the ne of the main flats inspecting the tern colony, and I lost sight of the now very distant and active bird. As I walked west and then circled the island, trying to re-find it, they came down to the Sandy Pt. By the time I got back around to the east side of the island, the bird had returned to the main flats, where they had it under study as it fed and preened at length. The second opportunity arose later on the rising tide, while I was babysitting it for later arrivals and noted a departing clammer walking toward the flock. Concluding that conversation in this context would not be productive, I carefully observed the bird as it was flushed, noting its finely barred rump and underwings in perfect detail. It didn’t fly far and was still feeding comfortably when I departed the flats at 14:35. The rump and tail pattern were also visible during several periods of active preening. The flight shot included here was captured fortuitously when the feeding bird made a very flight while I was phone scoping it. The sides of the upper breast show several small patches of reddish alternate plumage. Considering getting a camera, but do I really want to sacrifice the pleasure of watching birds at those very moments when we most want to see them? Photos are useful of course, but they are not birds.

Technical information

Dimensions

3089 pixels x 2365 pixels

Original file size

730.88 KB