Susquehanna River Kayak-Birding Highlights by Alex Lamoreaux

Over the past two weeks I was happy to take many birders and bird-photographers out to the Conejohela Flats along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, PA. Although there were multiple days with morning or evening storms, almost all of my scheduled trips went along as planned, and I was able to get out to the flats with people on a nearly daily basis! These 2-4 hour kayak tours varied depending on personal preference (and temperature!), but most visited a few of the scattered islands for waders and songbirds and then spent a substantial amount of the time at Avocet Point scanning through and photographing shorebirds, gulls, and terns. These tours averaged 55 species each, with 76 species seen all trips combined. The cooperative nature of Least Sandpipers, abundance of Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets, beautiful river scenery, and the generally high bird activity were highlights of every trip but certain days had particularly interesting sightings such the two juvenile Glossy Ibis that dropped in on August 9th, Western Sandpipers on the 11th, two juvenile Short-billed Dowitchers on the 14th, and a stunning subadult Peregrine Falcon on the 15th! Below are some of my personal photo highlights from these tours….