Greetings birders -

A quick afternoon stop (1 pm) at the peat mudflats on Wilderness Road (runs east/west, accessed off of Elyria Road which is accessed off of Route 3O; a few miles west of Wooster) turned up a single juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and a single juvenile Baird's Sandpiper, along with a horde of Killdeer, a handful of Lesser Yellowlegs, and 4 each of Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers. Afternoon viewing, on a hot day, will be difficult with heat waves. Go in the morning. Great looks were had of both rarities. The Buff-breasted sauntered around south of the mudflat in the drier and grassier portions (classic). What a stunner. Patience is required as the bird will 'disappear' for several minutes in grass that is just above its head-height. Buff-breasted is typically NOT a mudflat shorebird. Look for them in the drier, earthier portions, and shortgrass surrounding mudflats. Classic behavior of this bird is consistently and deliberately waddling along and head bobbing to and fro. The Baird's was working the shallow part of the pool of water. Great study of the criss-crossed primaries extending beyond the tail and rich scaled and buffy plumage. Other highlights included a migrant flock of Bobolink (15). 

Poor photos (but suggestive of what you'd see through your binoculars!) of the Buff-breasted will appear on my website tomorrow. 

A scope is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED at this location. Be aware that one or two large trucks will be moving back and forth along Wilderness Road, trucking peat to and from the nearby processing plant. Pull WELL OFF the side of the road. 

best of birding - 
Jen



Jen Brumfield 
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Cleveland, Ohio
330-701-6452

Bird Illustrator / www.jenbrumfield.com

Birding Tour Guide (Ohio), Local Patch Birding / www.jenbrumfield.com
Birding Tour Guide (worldwide), Tropical Birding / www.tropicalbirding.com
Outdoor Education Specialist/Artist, Cleveland Metroparks / www.clemetparks.com
Nikon Birding Optics ProStaff / www.nikonusa.com



                                          
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