In April, blue-winged teal, American coot and lesser yellowlegs are generally the most common wetland birds at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on the Missouri River floodplain. Today was no exception.
Lesser yellowlegs (mid-sized shorebirds) were foraging along every pool and on most of the flooded fields, joined by smaller numbers of pectoral sandpipers, greater yellowlegs, solitary sandpipers and killdeer. Very active feeders, lesser yellowlegs prefer shallow water through which they wade to snare aquatic invertebrates, larvae and small fish. This morning's visitors are on their way to boreal woodlands across Northern Canada and Alaska where they will nest and raise their young. By August, most will be heading for wintering grounds along our southern coasts or in Central and South America; there they may be found in both fresh and saltwater habitats.
Though they were outnumbered by blue-winged teal, at least 200 lesser yellowlegs graced the floodplain refuge on this sunny, cool morning. I wish them well on their journey to the north and look forward to their return during the waning days of summer.
