| Shorebird
Sightings
Below are survey reports of the 2007 spring
migration. Surveys are conducted by the Refuge Wildlife Biologist
and Refuge Volunteers every few days during shorebird migration.
All surveys are begun just before high tide. The best
shorebird viewing times page lists high tide times
during the spring migration period.
Note: Non-shorebird species are listed in
italic font.
| Date:
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 15,554 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Dunlin |
12,500 |
Western
Sandpiper |
3,000 |
| Red
Knot |
|
Semi-palmated
Plover |
36 |
Dowitcher
sp. |
36 |
Whimbrel |
14 |
Marbled
Godwit |
1 |
| Comments:
Migration has begun! There was an 8.5 foot tide with only
a fringe of mud showing at high tide. The birds were pushed
up close to viewing areas. There was a light rain with 5mph
winds. The temperature was about 45 degrees. A variety of
duck species were also seen. |
| Date:
April 26, 2007 |
| Total
Shorebird Observed: 17, 294 |
Species |
Approximate
# seen |
Dunlin |
14,100 |
Western
Sandpiper |
3,000 |
Semi-palmated
Plover |
150 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
24 |
Dowitcher
spp. |
13 |
Peregrine
Falcon |
2 |
Merlin |
1 |
Comments:
A Great Horned Owl was heard in the Alder grove!
|
| Date:
April 27, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 10,288 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Dunlin |
6,000 |
Western
Sandpiper |
4,000 |
Semi-palmated
Plover |
150 |
Red
Knot |
57 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
43 |
Dowitcher
spp. |
41 |
Yellowlegs
spp. |
15 |
Least
Sandpiper |
5 |
Marbled
Godwit |
3 |
Black
Turnstone |
2 |
Peregrine
Falcon |
2 |
Merlin |
1 |
Bald
Eagle |
1 |
| Comments:
There were about 8,000 shorebirds on Mini Moon Island. |
| Date:
April 28, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 11,190 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Western
Sandpiper |
9,000 |
Dunlin |
2,000 |
Semi-palmated
Plover |
170 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
12 |
Least
Sandpiper |
4 |
Red
Knot |
1 |
Dowitcher
spp. |
1 |
Yellowlegs
spp. |
1 |
Sanderling |
1 |
Peregrine
Falcon |
2 |
Merlin |
1 |
Bald
Eagle |
2 |
| Comments:
15,000 shorebirds on Mini Moon Island. |
| Date:
April 29, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 35,087 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Dunlin |
21,000 |
Western
Sandpiper |
14,000 |
Semi-palmated
Plover |
72 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
9 |
Least
Sandpiper |
3 |
Dowitcher
spp. |
1 |
Peregrine
Falcon |
1 |
Merlin |
1 |
| Comments:
10,000 shorebirds on Mini Moon Island. |
| Date:
April 30, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 52,351 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Western
Sandpiper |
32,000 |
Dunlin |
20,000 |
Semi-palmated
Plover |
340 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
3 |
Black
Turnstone |
3 |
Yellowlegs
spp. |
2 |
Least
Sandpiper |
2 |
Red
Knot |
1 |
| Comments:
Great weather! |
| Date:
May 1, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 35,845 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Western
Sandpiper |
31,500 |
Dunlin |
13,500 |
Semi-palmated
Plover |
795 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
43 |
Yellowlegs
spp. |
6 |
Black
Turnstone |
1 |
Peregrine
Falcon |
2 |
| Comments:
3,000 shorebirds on Mini Moon Island. Weather was perfect
and there were birds on the mudflats all day! |
| Date:
May 2, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 45,459 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Western
Sandpiper |
20,000 |
Dunlin |
25,000 |
Semipalmated
Plover |
400 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
44 |
Least
Sandpiper |
3 |
Red
Knot |
4 |
Whimbrel |
3 |
Yellowlegs
spp. |
5 |
| Comments:
Wind pushed the 8.1 tide all the way in to the vegetation!
Howling storm. |
| Date:
May 3, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 16,405 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Western
Sandpiper |
9,000 |
Dunlin |
7,000 |
Semipalmated
Plover |
374 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
23 |
Least
Sandpiper |
3 |
Red
Knot |
3 |
Yellowlegs
spp. |
2 |
Peregrine
Falcon |
1 |
Merlin |
1 |
Bald
Eagle |
1 |
| Comments:
Wind pushed water to the vegetation line. |
| Date:
May 4, 2007 |
| Total
shorebirds observed: 37,335 |
| Species |
Approx.
# seen |
Western
Sandpiper |
14,400 |
Dunlin |
21,600 |
Semipalmated
Plover |
1,300 |
Black-bellied
Plover |
33 |
Least
Sandpiper |
1 |
Long-billed
Curlew |
1 |
Peregrine
Falcon |
1 |
Bald
Eagle |
4 |
| Comments:
About 10,000 shorebirds on Mini Moon Island. Howling wind. |
|
