[Birdnet] Ruff on the AI Causeway

[Joel and Kathy Beyer]

This evening Kathy and I found a juvenile Ruff on the Antelope Island
Causeway (Davis Co.).  We initially saw the bird at 6 p.m., in a large
mixed flock of peeps, including about 40 Killdeer, 2 Semipalmated
Sandpipers, 4-5 Least Sandpipers, 3 Baird's Sandpipers and a Western
Sandpiper.  The group was at mile marker 3.5 on the south side, spread
out on the mud 30 yards out.  We observed the bird for 15-20 minutes
through the scope, and were able to eliminate all other possibilities, in
particular Buff-breasted Sandpiper.  The bird was a very close match to
the one in Sibley.  At 6:20 all the birds took flight, heading east along
the causeway.  They split into two groups, landing amongst the rocks at
approx. mile markers 4.5 and 5.  Before we had a chance to thoroughly
search through both groups, they again all took flight and headed north
over the causeway.  At that point it was getting too dim (6:30 p.m.) to
follow them any further.
 
Joel and Kathy