ML635369789

Observation details

Photos. Empid with weak eye ring, grayish green back, mostly whitish underside. Light lower mandible. Gave a few “pip” notes and a few lower-pitched burrier notes characteristic of the species. We were looking for the plover but didn't find it on the public beach, so we headed south to look at the beach adjacent to the public beach. No luck there so we walked the narrow trail through the willows to the marshy cove on the other side of the point (35.722825776992885, -79.0333288088965). As we worked our way through the willows we noticed a pair of Eastern Kingbirds defending their territory, staying low in the trees. While watching them we noticed two small birds involved in a chase, one was vocalizing and was immediately identified as Alder by Ron. We followed the bird around to the marshy cove area and watched as it perched on the edge of a Black Willow chasing other birds from this shrub. The bird vocalized a few more times and ultimately ended up giving a definitive 'pip' call.