Marbled Godwit, Point Mouillee

[Catherine Carroll]

Birders,
In addition to the Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow that Caleb Putnam  
has already posted, Adam Byrne also found a MARBLED GODWIT in the  
south end of Long Pond this morning.  I was lucky enough to catch up  
with Adam and Brad Murphy in the latter part of the morning during  
their survey.  Brad also picked up on a Red-headed Woodpecker flying  
over the marsh toward the lake.  Adam commented that he had not seen  
Red-headed Woodpecker at Point Mouillee in years.  Other shorebirds  
seen with Adam and Brad include:  Ruddy Turnstone, White-rumped  
Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, yellowlegs, and  
many Dunlin.  After leaving them, I went to see Whimbrel that the  
guys had found earlier.  Fortunately, one flew over the dike, because  
I could not find them in a stationary spot.  The phalaropes had not  
been seen by any of us, but Adam and Brad may have found them again  
after I left them.

Other observations:  the Osprey appear to be on nest; let's hope  
successfully this year.  A couple of kayakers paddled by their  
platform and, understandably, sent the osprey up in a tizzy.  I heard  
both Sora and Least Bittern along the dike from the Mouillee Creek  
parking area.  Probably the largest snapping turtle I have ever seen,  
was crawling over one of the dikes into the Bloody Run unit.   
Extraordinary!

Another woman around the Vermet Unit, I apologize for not getting her  
name, was looking for the "black swan."  According to this person  
it's been there for approximately two weeks.  She asked me if I had  
seen it and I had not.  Apparently, also both Adam and Greg Norwood  
know about the black swan.  While certainly an exotic escapee,  
apparently this bird is extraordinarily beautiful.  I'm glad she told  
me about it, because had I seen it on my own, it would have been a  
startling sight.  I kept an eye open for it on the walk back to my  
car, but did not see it.

As I was leaving, a brisk wind kicked up suddenly over the marsh.  I  
walked back to my car against it.  I always know I'm getting my  
exercise when I go out to Point Moo.

Good birding,
Cathy Carroll