Thursday I went to scout Brigantine in the morning to convince myself it wasn't worth going there this year since reports were so dismal. Well, I ended up doing just the opposite. In short order I found both Bitterns, 2 Ring-necked Ducks, BW Teal, Caspian and Gull-billed Tern, and both Harrier and Peregrine and that was BEFORE the good stuff. As I started down the South Dike I had 2 adult White-faced Ibis right along the road (see pic) and a bit further along I found a large flock of shore birds with 5 White-rumps and a real prize of a Western Sandpiper. They are very rare in Spring here and this bird was mostly in alternate plumage. Between the Peregrine Tower and the end of the South Dike a spotted what I assumed was gonna be a Marbled Godwit, but it didn't seem right. It seemed short and had an all dark bill, and no streaks on the flanks and breast. The breast was a uniform rich chestnut and I jumped out of the car for my scope. I had a life bird! I figured it was a Bar-tailed Godwit, so I called my friend Michael O'brien (who wrote The Shorebird Book) to go over the ID details. While talking to Michael the bird took off and I could see the white tail and the white extended up the back in a wedge. It also had white under wings, ID confirmed!! Suddenly Brig wasn't so bad after all.... Picture (so-so) attached of the Godwit.
Oh yeah, I also found a Wigeon and 2 Willow Flycatchers on my way out.
Mike
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