Trip Report by Thomas Plath

Six participants and a couple of stragglers showed up for the shorebird identification field trip at Reifel Refuge. We began at the House Pond where approximately 30 juvenile and a couple of adult Long-billed Dowitchers gave us close views. Close by were a few feeding Greater Yellowlegs. A non-breeding plumaged Wood Duck perched on the railing at Fuller’s Slough looking for handouts and a female Hooded Merganser was resting on a log along with a large Red-eared Slider. As we headed for the southwest marsh an adult Peregrine Falcon gave us great views flying overhead. A Marsh Wren was heard and a cooperative male Common Yellowthroat fed in the open at the same location as the previous trip. There were a few yellowlegs and a couple of dowitchers resting on logs at the southwest marsh but little else in the way of shorebirds. Adult Greater Yellowlegs still showing a few black centered mantle feathers and neck streaking were perched on a log beside juvenile birds with nicely spotted mantles for comparison. Scarce at the sanctuary, a Common Raven made an appearance flying close overhead.

Unfortunately the hunting Peregrine had scattered the large shorebird flock at the west pond making the shorebirds very skittish with many seeking refuge in the reeds and vegetation. A few remained allowing us to pick up a juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher, identified by inner markings on the tertials and after a while three juvenile Red-necked Phalaropes appeared swimming out of the reeds. At the far corner a Cinnamon Teal was feeding with two others that may have been Blue-winged.

The Peregrine was seen dashing by a couple of times and the pair of Sandhill Cranes was seen in the distance walking through the display pond area. One more stop at the House Pond and another look at a Short-billed Dowitcher ended another fine morning of birding.