Annual Shorebird Festival

I was up early yesterday for a full day planned at the "8th Annual SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL" at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.  It’s funny how an early morning alarm waking me at sunrise doesn’t seem to faze me for a day of birding.

This day included folks from NYC Audubon, The National Park Service, Don Riepe of the American Littoral Society, renowned bird expert and author Kevin Karlson, and shorebird photographer Lloyd Spitalnik.

The weather was perfect and we started with coffee, bagels, and donuts.  Don Riepe gave a brief presentation including some recent photos and happenings in Jamaica Bay.  There was an amazing turnout – over 100 participants – breaking into approximately 5 different groups with various guides.  We then all headed on our various trails to search for some new or familiar shorebird sightings.

My group, geared in high boots and led by Kevin Karlson, walked along the deep muddy edges of the East Pond until we reached a point where we could enjoy the shorebirds.

Although there were not a lot birds to look at today, we did get to see a great selection; White-rumped Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Red Knot, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Yellowlegs, Snowy Egret, Dowitcher, and a Ruddy Turnstone.  We also saw a Green-winged Teal, Mallard, and a Northern Shoveler.

After returning back for our lunch break, I joined Lloyd Spitalnik’s group and headed to Big John’s Pond, where I was treated to the sighting of a  Snowy Egret, Yellow-crowned Night Heron as well as a Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron.

We headed back to the center once again, and then took a walk around the West Pond, ending once more at the center for some final presentations.  Lloyd Spitalnik presented some of his photography, sharing some tips on how to get that perfect birding photo.  Kevin Karlson gave a talk with highlights from his upcoming book on shorebird identification in a whole new way.

A perfect full day of sunshine, walking, birding, photography . . .