Shorebirds Beginning to Return ~ July 17, 2025

I made another late-day run around to local ponds. The only notable find at the Regency ponds was a Green Heron. At the Newburg Park retention pond, there were 2 Lesser Yellowlegs among a dozen Killdeer.

Lesser Yellowlegs

When I stopped at the Trio Farms Boulevard retention ponds, I found that the cattails surrounding the smaller pond that had provided cover for the Common Gallinule for almost three months were all cut down, and there was no sign of it there. I checked the larger pond pretty well and didn't see it there either, but there's a lot of cattails there where it could be hiding. Four Green Herons were seen there while an Osprey flew off with a fish in its talons.

My next stop was the Hollo Road retention pond where I spotted a distant, solitary Solitary Sandpiper.

Solitary Sandpiper

After stopping to eat at the Wendy's at the Tatamy exit of Route 33, I checked the retention pond next to it. It also held a Green Heron.

Green Heron

I checked the two retention ponds along Northwood Avenue on the way home. The 'west pond' held a Great Blue Heron, and the 'east pond' held a Wood Duck.

Great Blue Heron

Wood Duck

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