Leucistic Barn Swallow Hornsby

15 Species of shorebird at Hornsby this morning. Here’s a Quiz bird for Shorebird class.

15 species of shorebird yesterday at Hornsby. But this Chestnut-collared longspur was a treat. Seems to be a young male with a hint of black on belly and a hint of chestnut on collar. Good looks at Baird’s Sandpiper, American Golden Plover and both yellowlegs were also a pleasure!

Good news/bad news from my first trip to Hornsby during fall migration. Good: Fall migration is here!!! Good: lots of floating mud habitat at Hornsby. Good: Lots of shorebirds — 1000 plus I estimated. Good: 9 species of shorebird. Good: temp is manageable from 6:30-10:00am or so. Good: lots of Stilt and whistle duck chicks….

Here’s another odd coloration on a Least Sandpiper from Hornsby yesterday. I had a similar one last year. The least in the back is more normal colored. The front one looked almost red in person.