Skywatch Friday
written by Drew Weber
Here is a shot of an Osprey I digiscoped. I haven't had too much success digiscoping flying birds but at least this one is identifiable.
I and the Bird #83
written by Drew Weber
Check out the lastest edition of the birding blog carnival at Wrenaissance Reflections.
and the flats Whimbrel
written by Drew Weber
Not quite as cooperative as the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, the Whimbrel enjoyed skulking, always on the opposite end of Avocet Point where we were. This was my PA state bird #277. Whimbrels are common along the coast and the only place to reliably find them on migration in PA is at Presque Isle State Park. 
The large shorebirds are much less common than peeps and yellowlegs so they are always a treat. The only other of the larger shorebird I'd previously seen at the flats was a Marbled Godwit a couple years ago. 
Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the flats
written by Drew Weber
Conejohela Flats once again produced some good shorebirds for me. A previously reported Whimbrel was still hanging out on Avocet Point and was the first bird we saw. And right in front of it was a juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper. The thing I really love about some juvenile shorebirds is their complete lack of wariness around people. While I was taking pictures, it kept walking closer and closer until I couldn't focus on it, only about 10 feet away.
A rare and irregular migrant in most of Pennsylvania, Buff-breasted Sandpipers are generally seen in fall, between the 3rd week in August and the 3rd week in September. These are mostly juveniles. Adults are much less common and pass through a few weeks earlier.
Occasionally the Buff-breasted Sandpiper would stretch up and look around, presumably alerted by something. Its normal behavior though was very active foraging, running around and probing for prey. At one point it pulled up a two inch worm and chowed down on that.
For a higher quality video, go to Youtube.
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