Date: 8/2/22 1:41 pm From: Daniel Mason <millipede1977...> Subject: White ibises in Centerton
I saw from the eBird reports that there were two juvenile white ibises at the hatchery yesterday. I'm about 4 days into dealing with covid, and have a couple sick kids at home, but just took some cold and flu medicine and went to look anyway. I didn't touch anything and I was alone there so, big time social distancing. When I pulled in I saw people mowing so I just knew I wouldn't have any luck. They were first reported(assuming by pictures) in the biggest upper pond yesterday morning and then it was reported they were in the lower ponds later in the day. Since you park by the upper ponds, I always go up the hill and scan. They weren't there. I went down to the lower ponds and the truck that flings fish food out was going by all the ponds. I definitely wasn't going to have any luck.
I was wrong. Two juvenile white ibises were still present even with that truck going around. I don't think the mowers had reached those ponds yet so I don't know how they'll behave if a mower starts mowing near those pond edges. They may stick around or, move on. I'll get pictures up at some point. This is my third time seeing white ibises every(unless I saw some many years ago while not being a birder and just don't remember, which is actually likely.) ALL three times are this year and all in Arkansas... three different counties.
Also saw at least 5 or 6 solitary sandpipers... which I sometimes chuckle at when I see a few together... solitary, you know. Spotted sandpipers... least... I believe a pectoral(have to double check my photos) and a buff-breasted. That one was a surprise. I don't see those often so that was exciting. Also of interest... ELEVEN egyptian geese. I had never seen that many at once.
