ML609295978

Observation details

Originally ID’d in the field as “large shorebird sp.” (i.e. godwit curlew, etc.) but later one large shorebird flew close enough that I could easily discern the decurved Whimbrel bill. I assessed that this was likely one of the group of 3 large shorebirds that flew around for quite a long time together between Meig’s Point and Hammock Point, seemingly circling over the outer area of Clinton Harbor. My hunch is that these birds were trying to properly orient themselves before launching on potentially a *very* long flight to the Caribbean. They seemed to be feeling the urge to get out of Dodge. After I got home, I looked at the iPhone videos I recorded through my scope of the 3 birds in flight, and I could occasionally discern the decurved Whimbrel bills on all 3 birds flying around together.