Shorebirds in Biddeford

[Loring Danforth]

It was a rainy afternoon at Hills Beach, but a good day for shorebirds. The Marbled Godwit continues at the far end of the causeway. Nearby was a small flock of 6 or 7 Red Knots, most were adults molting out of breeding plumage, but one was a scaly juvenile. Four whimbrel were on the mudflats to the East of the causeway.

As I walked back to the main beach, a big flock of plovers landed nearby. Most were Black-bellied Plovers, but 8 were American Golden-Plovers. The mixed flock provided great side by side comparisons. Many of the fieldmarks of the Golden Plovers were visible  -  smaller size over all, smaller bill, white eyeline and black cap, black underparts all the way to the vent, and golden flecked back and rump. 

At the beach by the Timber Point Trail there was a big flock of peeps, many Semipalmated Sandpipers, Some Least Sandpipers, one White-rumped and one Baird's.

Danny Danforth 

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Loring M. Danforth

Charles A. Dana Professor of Anthropology Emeritus

Bates College

446 College St.

Lewiston, ME 04240