Most of the time we are content to see what we can see but lately, with a slow spring migration, Karen and I have been chasing some rare birds in the area. The birds below were just passing through and we were lucky enough to see them (after others had found them).
The Ruff below was hopping around a fluddle chasing all the Pectoral Sandpipers around it. The Ruff is rare throughout the U.S. I first observed one while in India a couple of years ago.
Our next rarity was a Semipalmated Plover down at Montrose Beach. I found it while we were there observing Monty and Rose, Chicago’s famous Piping Plover breeding pair.
Next up is this male Wilson’s Phalarope in breeding plumage. eBird listed it as “Rare” for our area.
Our last rarity is a Black-necked Stilt. We have seen them in Florida, Aruba and India before but it is unusual to find them as far north as Illinois.
We’ll make the Black-necked Stilt a two-fer. Fellow member John Weisgerber captured this same one in his quest to find a rarity. Nice shot, John!
May your next bird be a rarity, too!
Stay Safe. Go Birding. Take Pics. Post Here. Repeat.
Mike
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