Inspired by reports of shorebirds trickling into Vermont recently, I went
out this morning to check out Delta Park. 6 KILLDEER, 3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS,
4 LEAST SANDPIPER, 1 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS and 3 SPOTTED  SANDPIPERS were
present today, seen at the beach and a few exposed sandbars visible at the
mouth of the river, viewed from the bridge. Also seen from the bridge was
an adult BONAPARTES GULL, loafing among the 18 or so CASPIAN TERNS and
Ring-billed Gulls. A GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL flew by and headed across
the lake and a VIRGINIA RAIL called from the cattails.

The best bird, however, was a juvenile/non-breeding GLOSSY IBIS that
briefly appeared out of the cattails south of the beach. It stayed in few
for less than a minute before vanishing back into the marsh, never to show
itself again, and after almost vanishing myself into the ooze trying to
re-find it, I left it to forage in peace.



Good Birding

David Rankin