We’ve had too many days of rain lately, which has kept me confined to local spots. Today looked a little more promising, so I took a chance and went to Bombay Hook. There’s nothing worse than committing to a 3 hour drive and then running into bad weather.

I lucked out, weather-wise, but it took a couple of hours before the sun was out and the clouds dispersed. From 6:00-8:00 I found almost nothing, but the sun brought in a lot of birds quickly. Avocets and Ibis were the best, but a fair number of Egrets and Herons were around as well.  Some passerines in the roadside bushes added to the fun.

Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching near the road.

This group of Least Sandpipers looked to number 75 or more.

Great Egrets were in every pool.

I only saw a few Greater Yellowlegs.

5 Glossy Ibis flew over the marsh without stopping.

It always seems odd to see so many Egrets in a tree.

8-10 Short-billed Dowitchers flew overhead.

There are always many Goldfinches at Bombay Hook.

A couple of Blue Grosbeaks were a nice treat.

40-50 American Avocets were foraging in the marsh.