Carlos Pedro is at it again. You may recall that he discovered Rhode Island’s first Little Stint back on July 4. Today, Oct 13, he discovered another first for the Ocean State, a Wood Sandpiper (pending acceptance, of course). Wood Sandpiper is “only” a Code 2, but it’s found semi-regularly only in western Alaska. This is just the seventh* record for the Lower 48, plus there is a record from Baja California last year.
photo by Tom Auer
The Wood Sandpiper was found at Marsh Meadows Wildlife Preserve in Jamestown, about 30 miles south of Providence and about 5 miles west of Newport. Pedro first found it on the west side of North Road just south of the water treatment plant. Tom Auer reported that it moved to a tidal pool near the marsh outlet. To get to this spot, Auer says to walk the town forest trail that goes behind the water treatment plant, go out towards the beach, and then come back towards the marsh. Auer also provides a map.
Rachel Farrell adds to these directions by saying to take the trail almost to the beach but then take the path on the left and then stay right until you reach the marsh. Farrell then posted that it moved back to the North Road area and was found behind Zeke’s Creek bait and tackle shop. Late in the afternoon, it flew towards the Jamestown toll plaze. Farrell says it’s foraging is affected by the tides, and mid-morning through late afternoon may be the best time to look for it on Oct 14.
If you go, park at the water treatment plant, not along North Road. Local police are aware that crowds of birders will be along the road and will be patrolling the area. More photos are available here.
UPDATE: The Wood Sandpiper was refound shortly before 10 AM on Oct 14 at the original location (west side of North Road just south of the water treatment plant).
UPDATE 2: The Wood Sandpiper is still present at the same location as of Oct 16.
*The original post incorrectly stated that this was the fifth record for the Lower 48.