Dateline: 26-27 August 2023
Weekend plover? Plover update? Whatever the case, a beautiful weekend at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA. Partly sunny, warm, humid on Saturday, windy and cooler Sunday. Very subdued bird activity inland (e.g., Pine Tree Trail). With the wind, activity on Gull Point mid-morning Sunday rather sporadic – things flying in and out, relatively few shorebirds.
On the other hand, after what’s been a slow season, finally (!) had some good shorebird activity along the outer beach. Thank you, surf/wind. (“Outer beach” = beach to the east of Budny Beach up to the Gull Point ‘closed for the season’ sign/fence.) Plover, Sanderling, sandpipers, etc. – more on that later in the week. Here, a beautiful/cute/solitary Semipalmated Plover + surf/sand.
Etymological note: sem·i·pal·mat·ed. ADJECTIVE. Used in names of wading birds that have toes webbed for part of their length.
Coming up soon, bathing Osprey, a fishing Tern, hairy spider macros, and lots and lots of shorebirds! Plus more exciting hummingbird content from the team in Arizona.
Thanks for the definition! Too bad there was only one poor little plover….needs a family!