Chirps and Cheeps

The day I found the Red-necked Phalarope, Rob S found a Red Knot while looking for the phalarope.  Another nice shorebird here at the beach!  I didn't see it until the next day and, as it turned out, the bird stayed for about 4 days altogether despite many birders and beach goers in the area.

This Red Knot is a juvenile and it made the beach its rest stop as it traveled southward on its migratory journey.  It's unusual for us in Western New York to get such nice, close views of this particular shorebird.  And rarely, do we see adults in their beautiful alternate (breeding) plumage stop in our area during spring migration as they head to their breeding grounds in the high Arctic tundra.  Usually, one has to go to the coast to see them after breeding season is over.

A few other birds caught my eye as I walked through the park and I got a few photos:  a couple of common shorebirds (a Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper), and an Indigo Bunting and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.  The Indigo Bunting has been singing all summer and I finally caught sight of his missus the other day.  Hopefully, I'll see babies soon!