Chasing Florida State Vagrants in January 2020 Birding has many facets, as many of us know. It gets us outside, exploring new and fascinating places we wouldn’t normally visit. It connects us with people we may never interact with otherwise. But one part of the hobby that really drew me in nearly 11 years ago and continues to do so … Read More
Ruff at Chincoteague NWR, Virginia
Originally discovered by Joe and Jeff Greco on June 27th, Zak Poulton and I raced up from Kiptopeke the following evening and were able to find the bird along the Wildlife Loop. Ruff are rare vagrants to Chincoteague NWR, with about 16 previous records on the refuge itself. Based on the similarity in plumage coloration and timing with a Ruff found … Read More
Ruff, Somerset County PA- Spring 2012
On Monday April 16, like most mornings, I was birding my Somerset Lake IBA route. The day before was an incredible day here, but this am started pretty slowly. Passerines were a bit quieter and waterfowl numbers much lower. It was sunny, with a clear blue sky, about 70-75 degrees, and it was fairly breezy with strong gusts from the … Read More
MEGA – RUFF at Lake Somerset
Mike Lanzone just called me to say he found a Ruff at Lake Somerset. It is feeding on the north side of the lake in the mud flats. Hopefully it sticks around so a lot of people can see it. *Update – the RUFF took off before any other birders were able to get there. It was not refound.