Of bluebirds and shorebirds at the Arsenal, Adams county

[Candice Johnson]

A flock of between 60 and 80 Mountain Bluebirds were in 2 cottonwoods on the back (north) side of the Wildlife Drive. On the trail to Havana Ponds, however, were 3 female Bluebirds that looked like female Western Bluebirds, perched on mulleins. Dull blue overall with a very pale wash of orange on upper breast; breasts grayish with no bright white lower down such as on an Eastern Bluebird. Lots of dark brown on folded wings.   Lake Ladora had 13 Avocets together on the northern shore with one Black-necked Stilt. and 2 Lesser Yellowlegs. Lake Derby had a sleeping cluster of about 8 Greater Yellowlegs with one Long-billed Dowitcher mixed in. Agitated Killdeer everywhere.  A Sandhill Crane flew over. Spring is coming.