Excellent Morning, 05/27/24

I woke up late and with low birding exceptions. Things started out pretty well when I ran into Kyle Knapp in the black dirt and we enjoyed photographing one of the most confiding Grasshopper Sparrows I’ve ever come across (see photos below). But, it wasn’t until I went to 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary afterwards, that things got really good. I arrived and almost immediately found an adult LITTLE BLUE HERON. I was really surprised by this, as we have only had an adult in Orange County one other time that I know of. I took some quick photos, and put the word out. At some point, when I was looking at my phone or camera, the bird had just disappeared…

Enter Dave Hultgren. We had never met before today, but I saw him further up the trail, so I went to him to see if he saw the bird fly. He did not just then, but he informed me that earlier, he had TWO adult Little Blue Herons! I walked further up the trail trying to relocate the birds, and sure enough, when I found one, I found two! It was pretty cool. Several other birders came to see the herons; Bruce Nott found a couple of Semipalmated Sandpipers, and a Least Sandpiper. Then, John Haas found a slightly larger sandpiper – it was a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER! What a great morning!

~Little Blue Heron at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 05/27/24.~
~Make that TWO Little Blue Herons! 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 05/27/24.~
~Grasshopper Sparrow in the Black Dirt, belting it out! 05/27/24.
~Grasshopper Sparrow in the Black Dirt Region, 05/27/24.~

8 thoughts on “Excellent Morning, 05/27/24”

  1. Excellent shots, Matt. Thank you for confirming the pair.

    The grasshopper shots are spectacular.

    1. Thanks so much Dave. It was great to meet you, and congrats on a great find. See you out there. Matt

  2. Matt,
    Thanks for getting the word out on the Little Blues! It was a great morning and nice to have a bunch of us together again for the first time in a minute! Great shots! John

    1. Thanks John. And, I was thinking the same thing yesterday evening – it had been a minute! It was good to see everyone and exciting to get such good birds on a day where I wasn’t expecting much at all. Matt

  3. Great Grasshopper shots. Have not seen them this year yet. Hope to see them in Early July in western Pa. Also hope to get Henslows

    1. Thanks Bruce! Good luck when you go for them in July. Always good to hear from you. Matt

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