It’s not easy.
I went to Veterans Park in Hamilton on Sunday afternoon, hoping to get a look at a few birds I don’t find at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm or at other sans water spots. Although I would not see many birds, I did add two species to my e-Bird log for April.
The first was a purple martin, which I wasn’t expecting. One of the martins was standing in profile on one of the levels of the martin house, which is on a post near the edge of the park’s lake. The bird — the only one around — was so still I couldn’t be sure it was real or alive. By the time I passed it on my way back, the bird had turned and was looking outward.
In between, I walked along the edge of the lake and on a trail that goes back into the woods. Other than a lone drake mallard, I didn’t see any birds in a spot where on my last visit I’d seen plenty.
So I turned back and again walked the edge of the lake, straining to see what might be lurking on a spit of land a few yards off the shore. The land was heavily strewn with downed branches, and what soil that was exposed was a mucky black.
Merlin had at least twice signaled that a spotted sandpiper and a killdeer were nearby. I was disappointed at not seeing a killdeer, but eventually I saw a bird fly from one part of the spit to another. A spotted sandpiper, it was difficult to see. Its mostly brown upper body blended well with the downed branches it was exploring. The photo topping this post is a good example of how well-camouflaged it was.
Another sandpiper revealed itself. I know I took shots of both birds but I’ll be darned if I can distinguish between them in my photos. 🦅
The Jersey Birder 