An interesting mix of birds at Col. Sam Smith Park this afternoon - very vocal Bobolinks and Savannah sparrows in the grassy fields, a small 'fling of Dunlin' at the very tip where the marina exits, along with 1 Peep, and working along the outer rocky shore, an American Pipit. A very cold wind blowing across that outer end but in spite of it the 'whimbrel watchers' were watching and did see a few flocks circle overhead and move to the West. The 'watch' is on from now until the end of the month out at Whimbrel Point - where the pole is, along with the bench dedicated to Fred Bodsworth who wrote The Last of the Curlews.
I headed in to the dogwood patch East of the playing fields to get out of the wind and see what was there.........a stunning male Blackpoll, redstarts, magnolias, chestnut-sideds (is that a word?) peewee and gnatcatchers. Beautiful in there in the sunshine later in the day.
If you go to the Whimbrel Watch bundle up. It is worth it to see a flock of these spectacular big birds flying overhead singing their beautiful song.
Sam Smith Park is at the foot of Kipling. Parking is free in the very last lot. Walk straight to the water and look right - you will see the 'watchers' on the hill. Bring a fold up chair and a picnic.
