Hot morning at the beds

[lulubelle]

Haven't been to the beds since mid June - surprised to see that the marsh has dried up so much. Was hoping that that was an indicator that some of the other beds had lost significant water and would be the start of great shorebird habitat. Seems like ponds 7 & 8 are the only ponds that are even close. Spotted a lone White-faced Ibis in pond 7 and 7 White Ibis (1 juvenile) in the marsh. Didn't see any sign of the Least Grebe, but found a Common Moorehen. There were quite a few Lesser & Greater Yellow Legs, along with some Solitary Sandpipers. There were some smaller peep types running around, but need a scope to determine what they were. Got 25 Killdeer - most I think I have seen at once. Interesting to see that Barn Swallows have pretty much replaced the Cliff Swallows that were around at the beginning of summer. I spotted a single Bank Swallow - 2nd I have seen at the beds.

With the triple digit heat, I am hoping that some of the beds turn into prime shorebird real estate soon!

[Talon]

That Bank Swallow was still there today, sitting on the wire between ponds 15 and 16. That's actually a really good bird to have here this time of year, Laura. My personal early date is Sept. 5.
Pond 7 was the only hot spot again. Some sandpipers, finally! Mostly Western, some Least and Semipalmated, a few Solitary and one Spotted. I still can't find the Least Grebe or a Moorhen. Maybe if I showed up before the middle of the day I would do better.

[camcar]

I have only ever found the least grebe in the middle of the day... at least for the most part. The same goes for the moorhens.

[Y Cymry]

Hymm ... I saw a swallow on July 3 which I thought at the time was a Bank Swallow but convinced myself it was probably just a Roughwing since the date was so out of line for a migrant Bank Swallow. Maybe a small colony of Banks has established itself nearby on a cutbank along the Trinity River.

Cyn

[lulubelle]

Talon, the Bank Swallow was a nice find for the day! I was really surprised to see it and tried to make it into another type of swallow! It was the 2nd Bank Swallow I have seen there and the 3rd I have seen period! I am trying to keep an eye on the swallows after Ken Nanney found the 4 Cave Swallows there last year - it paid off this time!