The Hudsonian Godwit continued today at The Rocks, Fort Fisher.
Tide was high in the morning so it, and the 15+ Marbled Godwits, did not appear on the flats along the walkway until about 1:10 PM.
In the morning some shorebirds, including Marbled Godwits, Willets, dowitchers, Ruddy Turnstone, and at least 1 Red Knot were roosting on the rocky breakwater next to the boat landing, but views were limited, and likely twice as many birds were present as could be seen without getting very wet.
Between 1:20 and 1:45 the following birds were feeding in the flooded mudflat areas along the walkway:
Clapper Rail 1 seen several heard Black-bellied Plover 1 Semipalmated Plover 3+ Willet 5+ Marbled Godwit 15+ Hudsonian Godwit 1 Red Knot 1 Short-billed Dowitcher 45+
The Hudsonian Godwit is an adult in fall plumage (they have a partial molt after breeding, replacing most body feathers). It retains worn and faded upper wing coverts, and retains a sprinkling of reddish feathers on the lower chest and belly. The bill is bi-colored, but has more black, particularly on the upper mandible, than other godwits.
