We went out to check out the bisons at the Metro Park today, and I was
indulged in a half hour of looking over the new wetlands just east of
Darby Creek Drive. I would estimate there were ~2500 shorebirds there,
most of them pectoral sandpipers, with maybe 300+ lesser yellowlegs and
a hundred or fewer greater yellowlegs. No killdeers. Few waterfowl.
        Large flocks of shorebirds, especially pectorals, repeatedly spooked en
masse, at provocations I could not detect. Yellowlegs were more mellow,
just relocating nervously. Even with afternoon sunlight from behind,
heat-waves at the distances involved made viewing difficult; there may
easily have been other species, but I could not say what they might have
been. I saw what might have been three willets standing on a shore, but
could not confirm any among the flying birds.
        Vistas seen with binoculars often looked empty, but in a scope showed
hordes of birds in grassy areas near the watery spots. For the time
being--it is hard to say what growth of vegetation will do later--this
is a fantastic shorebird spot, even if an observer can't always tell
exactly what's out there.
        All these birds were in the northern reaches of the pools, and were
seen from the parking available at the gate across the road from the
grain bins.
Bill Whan
Columbus


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