Are We There Yet? (Early September)


sanderling

Pick a rainy, drizzly day to go birding and you will be rewarded! This shorebird called a Sanderling was found last week at Lake Fort Phantom grounded by the rain. You remember, our Labor Day that was rained out? Although found worldwide, Sanderlings are very rare inland. They breed in the high arctic tundra and migrate along the Pacific or Atlantic coastlines. This juvenile could winter as far south as Chile or it might stay on the gulf coast.

This week’s group of pictures focuses on migration again. Baird’s and Stilt Sandpipers showed up at Waste Water along with some other shorebirds; Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are sipping nectar voraciously at feeders; and a few winter residents are beginning to show up (such as Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and ducks). If you’re interested in following the most recent sightings, check out our newly created Sightings section. It’ll give you a good idea of what is currently in the area.

As for the Sanderling I imagine his parents were tired of answering the question, “are we there yet?” And they secretly flew south when junior wasn’t looking, leaving junior on his own to figure out this thing called migration.