August is a great time for shorebird migration so I was on the lookout for “peeps” on the newly formed mud flats in what was Cross Trails Pond at Brazoria NWR during a recent visit. My efforts were rewarded by several large groups of small sandpipers. The majority were Least Sandpipers but I did see decent numbers of Western, a few Baird’s and this Semipalmated Sandpiper. The short strait beak and dark legs are pretty good field marks. I have found that usually if I wait in the area where shorebirds are feeding, they will eventually work their way close to me but despite my best efforts to wait these birds out this was as close as I was able to get. Hopefully the next couple of weeks will yield some better opportunities.

www.texastargetbirds.com

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Calidris pusilla