Stilt Sandpiper

A somewhat rare Stilt Sandpiper has been at the "Access Road pool" in Stratford for about a week now. Last seen two days ago, the Stilt is at what is always a very productive pool near where Access Road meets Great Meadows Road on the saltmarsh side. This has been a popular spot for birders seeking rare shorebirds, waders, or waterfowl for years. Our friend and expert birder Frank Mantlik first found it along with a Western Sandpiper.

Stratford Great Meadows is the most reliable spot for the species to the degree where it does not register as much of a rarity in my mind since I have lived here my entire life. Director of the CAS Coastal Center, Frank Gallo, took the following photos of it.

Here is a photo of a Lesser Yellowlegs for comparison.

It may not be a White-tailed Kite, with the first anniversary of its arrival in 2010 passing on Monday, but a Stilt Sandpiper is still a very nice find. Tomorrow I will post some photos of what Twan and I have been recording at Stratford Point in the past week as migration continues to build.


Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician

Photos © Frank Gallo