After work this evening I headed out to the black dirt with UPLAND SANDPIPERS on my mind… and I hit the jackpot! I was searching through the black dirt and I located a good number of Killdeer in a couple of fields side by side. I scanned quickly with my binoculars and immediately got on an interesting looking bird. I got it it in the scope, and sure enough it was an Uppie! With another one right nearby! Oh wait, is that a third? And a fourth? Wow!

I put out the word and Linda Scrima and Kyle Knapp joined me in no time flat. It was a good thing too, because the Uppies were on the move. I did my best to track the birds while Linda and Kyle documented – I never would have been able to keep track and document by myself. Jeanne Cimorelli showed up as we were leaving, and she later let me know that she had relocated 2 of them. What an exciting evening of birding!



Very Cool! You never know what will show up in the Black Dirt area of Orange County. Good for you all 🙂
That’s a very true statement, Patty! It’s a big reason I love birding there so much. Matt
Great find! I’ve really enjoyed reading through your blog.
I plan on heading up from NYC to the black dirt area for the first time tomorrow afternoon (8/11) to look for Upland Sandpipers. Would be a lifer for me! Also, I see you’ve seen grasshopper sparrows in the area as well.
Are there specific locations that you recommend where the uppies have been recently observed? Same for grasshopper sparrow!
Many Thanks!