Falls Lake shorebirds

[Mike Skakuj <mskakuj@nc.rr.com>]

Hi,

I have just came back from the place described by Rick Davis, near the
Lake Ridge Airfield (South from 85 bridge).
The area is much closer walking distance than the 751 bridge on Jordan
Lake. You need some 6-8 minutes to be the spot.
Unfortunately in early morning (I was there before sunrise) one could
have some problems with light but the good point is, most probably
shorebirds overnight just in front on an old railroad on mudflats in
some 150 yards distance. So at dawn there were many Pectorals and
Killdeers flying off the area South and North. It looks like late
afternoon - evening would be excellent time to catch these guys coming
for night roost. That was theory, now practice:

Black-bellied Plover - 1 ad
Killdeer  - 131
Semipalmated Plover - 41 ( fairly good number, most birds were N from
railroad, right in front of boatrump)
Willet - 1 (flew off the area at dawn)
Lesser Yellowlegs - 7
Solitary Sand. - 13
Spotted Sand. - 5 ( I am sure there were more but birds were spread all
over the huge area)
Stilt Sand. - 5 (4 ad 1 juv)
Pectoral Sand. - 117 (heard a few flew from the area at dawn, so could
be a bit more)
White-rumped Sand. - 2 ad
Western Sand. - 14 (1 juv)
Semipalmated Sand. - 68 (5 juv)
Least Sand. -55

I was looking for Sanderlings and more White-rumped but no joy.
Nevertheless there are many islands and mudflats toward 85 bridge so
maybe next time.

Mike

--
************************************************
Michal Skakuj  Ph.D.
4600 University Drive # 1312
Durham, NC 27707
phone, fax: (919) 402 9961
mobile phone: 919 599 3040