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Camouflaged – do you see the Piping plover?

A quick visit to Allen’s Pond to see if the Piping Plover nest hatched yet. Short answer – not yet. I took a few differing angles of the Piping Plover on nest.

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Missing the Black-necked Stilt on my last visit, I clung to hope that they were still there by the time I was able to revisit. By the causeway I scanned the marsh and there they were – feeding.

I was able to get a little closer but they were still a distance away. I watched them feed beside the Least Sandpipers and a lone Great Egret. When the stilts tucked their head into their feathers and stood on one leg, it appeared they going to take an afternoon nap, I called it a day.

Walking along the beach there was an area roped off for the nesting Killdeer. As I walked by, they flew ahead of me but did not perform the broken wing routine as they did on my previous visit like the photo below depicts.

Nearby was the roped off area for the Piping Plover. I took a quick photo as the plover sat on her eggs. She had a resolute appearance as she stayed on her nest.

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Not common for my area, a pair of Black-necked Stilts are currently at Allen’s Pond Sanctuary.

*Sighting reflected at Bird Lifelist

**Related post: Missed Birding Opportunities

Update: As of Tue, Jun 15th they are still there.

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My last two visits to Allen’s Pond focused on the Piping Plovers. I had semi-tunnel vision but noticed a few things but my pace quicken as I made my way to the plovers.

As I sat and watched the plover, a couple approached me and we chatted awhile. They happen to be from Wisconsin and mentioned a  Black-necked Stilt in the area. These birds are scarce in the Northeast and would be a life bird for me. I asked if they were sure and maybe it was a Willet or a Greater Yellowlegs.  The conversation sifted again to the plover and birding in the area.

Before they left, I was directed to a Killdeer who was performing the broken wing routine, as their nest may have been in the vicinity. I thank them and we parted.

I spotted the Killdeer but they kept their distance and I watched the broken wing routine.  Something I have not witnessed before.  They flew around me but did not land close.

Sometime later I checked the Mass Bird Listing and I was stunned to see that in fact, a Black-necked Stilt was in the area. I was there and failed to pay attention or listen to the couple who I had a conversation with. Lesson learned!

Some photo highlights (click on image, then use keyboard arrows for next/previous)

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I finally was able to make one of the Allen’s Pond bird walks with birder Paul Champlin. It did not disappoint. The walk started at 9am with a small group of people and we got back to the station house at 12:30pm. It was an excellent 3 1/2 tour.

I was able to see three life birds.  The highlights for me included the observations of the not so common birds like the Blue-winged Warbler. Plus, the call difference’s between the Alder Flycatcher and  Willow Flycatcher.

My two favorite birds of the trip: the Piping Plover and the Seaside Sparrow, which I was particularly pleased to see. Added note on the Piping Plover: preliminary 2009 estimates of nesting Piping Plover pairs in Massachusetts is 575 and the Atlantic Coast is 1831.

Photo highlights. Click on image to view larger photo, then use keyboard arrows for next/previous.

Link to the days sightings here on the Massachusetts Birding List.

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After the rain storms passed, backyard song birds sing joyously as the sun shines brightly. Naturally, this brings an occasion to go for a walk at one of my most frequented places – Allen’s Pond Wildlife Sanctuary.  I headed there in hopes of seeing some migrate birds.

The prominent birds at the sanctuary was the Song Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbirds whose songs could be heard through the sanctuary, particularly the sparrow.

A pair of Killdeers fly overheard and landed somewhere in the marsh. A lone Red-tailed Hawk high in the sky and in the distance Common Eiders, Black Ducks and Swans.

While at the Quansett Trail boardwalk which now has a bench, Butch Lombardi stopped by and we spoke for about 30 minutes. He had a Canon camera and naturally our conversation included: photography, birds and places to see them. It’s always a pleasure to meet friendly people on the trails. If you have the time stop over and visit Butch’s site at eastbayimages.

Photo highlights