On Friday, February 5, naturalists on LSSI took part in the annual Mid-winter Shorebird Survey with the help of Giff Beaton and Brandon Noel. The survey is part of a statewide effort looking at shorebird numbers. A total of 23 bird species were seen during our count, adding up to a total of 8099 birds. Of those, 18 species (7989 individuals) were shorebirds. Dunlin numbered the highest, with 5477 birds counted. Trailing far behind in second were Semi-palmated Plover (834). Third numerous were Sanderling (593), followed by Short-billed Dowitcher (236).

Other shorebirds counted were: Black-bellied Plover (227), Red Knot (171), Western Sandpiper (158), Ruddy Turnstone (157), Dowitcher Sp. (32), Least Sandpiper (25), American Oystercatcher (17), Piping Plover (12), Greater Yellowlegs (11), Wilson’s Plover (9), Marbled Godwit (9), Killdeer (9), Greater Yellowlegs (8), and unidentified “peeps” (4).

Other species counted on the survey were: Scaup Sp. (86), Lesser Scaup (19), Greater Scaup (3), Lesser Black-back Gull (1), and Bald Eagle (1).

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