Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Morning Birding South Beach, Chatham

Howdee all,

Jeff and I managed to squeeze in a few hours of Early morning birding while here at the cape. We went to Lighthouse beach hung a left past the pond and went to the mudflats on the bay side.

Its been pretty foggy most mornings.

Birding chatham_20090804_007

And this morning was no exception..Black-backed Gulls in the fog at first pond.

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Noticed many small horseshow crabs in the mud flats..

I am curious as to why there were so many dead young horseshoe crabs.

Birding chatham_20090804_061 The fog starting to break.Birding chatham_20090804_011 Short-billed Dowitchers below…(I think)..still learning shorebirds..maybe forever learning shorebirds..Birding chatham_20090804_025

check out the video…to get a sense of what this area is like.

I loved how the little lines come out from the back of each bird..

The bird on the right is getting better reception…more bars! :)Birding chatham_20090804_029

Still beautiful despite the morning fog..this is the mud flat area we birded.

Birding chatham_20090804_018  A beautiful Green Bouquet ..I imagine this being used in a mermaid wedding.

Birding chatham_20090804_052Chatham light…… thru the mudflats and fog.

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Colorful Crab..a dinner for seabirds.

Birding chatham_20090804_033 Birding chatham_20090804_045

What we believe to be a White-winged Scoter in the bay area..Anyone care to confirm this?  If this is the scooter..why is it in the bay, just floating around?

This would be a life bird for Jeff and I. So a yea or neigh would be appreciated.jeffs pics birds_20090804_026

We were pleasantly surprised to see a pair of Horned larks frolicking about in the

seaweed.jeffs pics birds_20090804_030 It was a quick 2 and a half hours of birding…Short and Sweet!

Birds seen,

Osprey, Ringed-billed,Herring, Greater black-backed, and laughing Gulls.

Least and Common Terns, Black-bellied, piping ,semi-palmated Plovers,

Least, Semi-palmated, Pectoral, Sandpipers  Sanderlings, Short-billed Dowitchers, Ruddy turnstones, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Horned lark,White winged scoter? Double-crested Cormorant, American Oystercatcher, Black skimmer, Willet, Barn swallow,Song sparrow.

We have left the cape and are now headed to Ct. for a few days before going west.

We are excited…but it is always bittersweet…having to leave our Wonderful Family behind.

11 comments:

  1. dawn - fantastic photos - i just love the gulls in the fog - super cool spot it seems.

    It sure looks like a young white winged scoter to me (i have never seen one so would rely on an expert)

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  2. Hey Dawnie... Loved all the little birdie pictures... Great shots despite the fog... Have a fun day!

    (((HUGS)))
    Donna

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  3. Beautiful captures and scenery guys this is a great transision time!

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  4. Nice pictures of birds and water and seaweed

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  5. loved all your photos sicksta!

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  6. Honest to pete, you crack me up Dawn! Better reception, more bars! I litterally was laughing out loud.

    I'm a little curious as to why the Horse Shoe crabs are dying also. That can't be normal.

    I'm sad to see you leave but I look forward to more posts from across the country! I wish you and Jeff safe travels.

    Sharon

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  7. It sure looks like an immature WW Scoter, but then that's a species I don't have much experience with.

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  8. Gorgeous foggy pictures Dawn - I like me some fog :) But it's sad about the horseshoe crabs... I would LOVE to see a horseshoe crab, such strange creatures.

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  9. Happy trails!

    Chatham South Beach is another on my list places to visit!

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  10. Yep - definitely an immature WWSC -good job!

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  11. Thanks guys and gals! Glad you enjoyed the pics!
    And thank u all who verified the White winged scoter..a life bird for us! yippeee!

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ok what do you really think?????