August 11 - Brigantine NWR

On the chance that I could get a new State bird, I took the drive to Brigantine (aka Forsythe NWR) on Saturday. The tide was high, which is perfect to start shorebirding, and there were many birds present as well.
The bird of the day was Red-Necked Phalarope. It was easily seen quite close to the dike. I would say it was about 25 yards away, and in just the right light to show off this brightly colored juvenile. State bird # 329 !!

Shorebirds seen today were: the aforementioned Phalrope, Black-Bellied Plover, Semi-Palmated Plover, Killdeer, Oystercatcher, both Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Hudsonian Curlew (Whimbrel), Sandpipers of Semi-Palmated, Western, Least, White-Rumped, Pectoral, Stilt, and Short-Billed Dowitcher.

Also seen were Cattle Egret, Clapper Rail, Least, Forster's and Gull-Billed Terns, Skimmer, Seaside and Salt-Marsh Sparrows, and Boat-Tailed Grackles.