Did you see any shorebirds on this fine November weekend? If so, be sure to submit your list for Wader Conservation World Watch!
I saw some shorebirds at Montezuma NWR on Saturday, but the refuge this time of year is all about waterfowl; I’ve never seen as many Northern Pintail in my life, not just at one time but literally in my entire life. Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was the lone Snow Bunting he encountered on the beach at Fort Tilden on Saturday morning, which was much better than the one he had flying over Fort Tilden on Sunday because the one on Saturday sat still for a picture!
How about you? What was your best bird of the weekend? Tell us in the comments section about the rarest, loveliest, or most fascinating bird you observed. If you’ve blogged about your weekend experience, you should include a link in your comment.
The best regarding rarity was certainly Volcano Swiftlet in Gunung Gede Pangrango NP, but honestly I enjoyed my first visuals of Eye-browed Wren-babbler and Fire-tufted Barbet more.
My best bird of the weekend was definitely a juvenile male RUFF at Ankeny NWR in western Oregon. This bird has been around for several days now.
The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club’s walk at Morris Park in western Philly was a veritable raptor-fest (at least 5 species!), and the best of the bunch was a Red-shouldered Hawk who wheeled right above us, giving fantastic looks.
Northern Shrike at McAllister Park, Belle Terre, NY., notable for two reasons. It’s an unusual rarity for Long Island this time of year. And, it was found at a park I’ve never heard of with the tiniest parking lot in the world. And (o.k., this is three), getting to the area required a 1.7 mile walk on the beach and scrubby terrain. And then back. One of those times when you really wished you travelled with a boat. The NOSH was found by a birder who was chasing after another unusual bird, Western Kingbird. If he had not chanced on it, it’s probably we never would have known that it was here.