Farm Field sightings 13-Jul-2006

I believe it was Bill Whan at OH Birds that mentioned flooded ag fields are generally not good for southbound shorebirds as they have corn or beans in the summer. The birds, if present, would be difficult or impossible to observe. This season has been so wet that the standing waters have drowned large areas of said fields and killed the crops. Bad for farmer's yields but good for shorebirds and shore-birders.

Today at the corner of Cousino and Seaman Rd a substantial wet and muddy area held at least 66 Dowitchers in adult plumage, presumably all Short-billed Dows. If this is a bad assumption please chime in. This is by far the biggest number of this species I have ever seen in an ag field. About 8 Lesser Yellowlegs and a bunch of Killdeer round out the list.

I believe Howard Rd also has a similar wet area but I haven't been by there in a few days so can't report on the conditions.

On my way to work this moring, I drove by the field on Howard Rd. There are indeed a number of Short-billed Dowitchers, a few Lesser Yellowlegs and a few Killdeer present. I don't know how much longer they will remain in the area. The water is drying up quickly.