Gull-billed Tern, Gadwall Ducklings and More, SCMM

The east path of the Meadows was hopping this evening, with highlights including a Gull-billed Tern hunting the marshy area behind the "gull island," as well as a hen Gadwall with 11 youngsters in tow. Gadwall is an uncommon (though annual) breeding bird in the area, so it's always a treat to see young ones.

Four "Western" Willets flew over calling, and another was feeding on the beach. Also on the beach was the continuing Black Scoter, along with at least three Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A trio of Brown Pelicans evidently flew out of the bay, and continued south into the ocean. A noisy Royal Tern also flew past.

There was a fair variety of shorebirds, though almost everything came in 2's, 3's and 4's, including Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpiper, both yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowitcher.