I had thought that one of the White-rumps didn't have a white-rump in
flight, but I wasn't able to refind it, so I just chalked it up to my
imagination.

This is my first shorebird migration in VT so I'm not sure what is and
isn't expected, but it seems (from Ebird) that neither Baird's nor Stilt
Sandpipers are usual VT migrants, is that true?

Also, are there any other good shorebird spots to check in the Burlington
area?

David Rankin


On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 3:44 PM, Allan Strong <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I just got a call (3:40 PM) from Ted Murin who adds 1 adult Baird's
> Sandpiper to David's list of shorebirds from Delta Park.  Stilt Sandpipers
> and White-rumps were still present.
>
> Allan
>
>
> On 8/6/2012 11:13 AM, David Rankin wrote:
>
>> I didn't even know there was another area of Delta Park. If you park at
>> the
>> boat launch and walk across the bike path, through the little fence lined
>> path onto the overgrown beach area, then follow the shoreline south,
>> through the wet, marshy area (it helps to wear sandals, as your feet will
>> get wet and gross), then further down the beach, after a few minutes
>> you'll
>> start to bend to the east and you'll see a series of sandbars that the
>> gulls and shorebirds loaf on. (they are also visible from the bike path
>> bridge over the river, but you're too far away to really get good looks at
>> any shorebirds). The shorebirds were on one of the sandbars closer to
>> shore
>> that the terns and gulls mostly avoided.
>>
>> That's the only way I know of getting there. Hope that helps.
>>
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 10:32 AM, Maeve Kim <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>  Is this in the area of Delta Park that requires a key to access - or is
>>> it
>>> available to anyone?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Maeve Kim
>>> Jericho Center
>>>
>>>
>>> On Aug 6, 2012, at 10:16 AM, David Rankin wrote:
>>>
>>>  Spent 2 hours this morning at Delta Park, mainly trying to make sure I
>>>>
>>> got
>>>
>>>> a positive ID on three intriguing birds that just didn't look quite
>>>> right
>>>> for short-billed dowitchers. From a distance I thought that one of them
>>>> looked good for a stilt sandpiper, but when I finally got closer (about
>>>> 100' away, I could see that all three were STILT SANDPIPERS. They fed
>>>>
>>> with
>>>
>>>> a similar motion to dowitchers, but appeared longer legged and shorter
>>>> billed, with a slight curve to the bill. When viewed in flight, base of
>>>> tail feathers was distinctly white, and they lacked the white wedge
>>>> going
>>>> up the back.. If I hadn't brought my shorebird guide along, I'd have
>>>>
>>> don't
>>>
>>>> think I'd have make an ID, but I had ample opportunity to study them at
>>>> close range.
>>>>
>>>> Also present were about a dozen SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 35 LEAST
>>>>
>>> SANDPIPERS,
>>>
>>>> 1 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 4 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, over
>>>> 100 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 6 COMMON TERNS, about 45 CASPIAN TERNS and a
>>>> WILSON'S SNIPE. All the shorebirds were hanging out on one of the
>>>>
>>> sandbars
>>>
>>>> close to shore.
>>>>
>>>> David Rankin
>>>>
>>>
> --
>
> ***********************************************************************
> Allan M. Strong
> University of Vermont
> The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
> 220L Aiken Center
>
> 81 Carrigan Drive
> Burlington, VT 05405
> 802-656-2910
> ***********************************************************************
>