February 24, 2008 [LINK / comment]

"Uncommon" snipe on Bell's Lane

I picked a good day to stop at Bell's Lane yesterday (it's been a while), as I came across a WILSON'S snipe (formerly known as a Common snipe*) foraging along a muddy stream. It's perfect habitat for those bizarre long-billed "shorebirds," but for some reason (camouflage?), I hardly ever see them there. So for me, it's big news!

This afternoon I returned to Bell's Lane in hopes of getting a photo, but no snipe was to be seen. I did see my first Redheads of the season on the (south) farm pond, however.

The weekend highlights:

• Bluebird
• Downy woodpecker
• Wilson's snipe (FOS!)
• Hooded mergansers (5-6)
• Great blue heron
• Coots (2+)
• Ruddy ducks (2+)
• Kestrels
• Robins (200+)
• Red-winged blackbirds (FOS!)
• Redheads (1 M, 2 F; FOS!)
• Northern shovelers

I have moved the table of first-of-season sightings from the Wild birds intro page to a new page: Annual arrival. Further updates are forthcoming...