69 HUGO + 63 BBSA + 129 FRGU + hundreds of others at a managed wetland in Palacios this weekend.

Today, a flock of 105 Hudsonian Godwits in a single wetland, alongside some 400+ Stilt Sandpipers (Calhoun County, Texas).

And a Baird’s and Long-billed Dowitcher (which many have continued for weeks, but now molt is really starting to shift into gear), also observed this week in Matagorda County.

A Semipalmated and Dunlin for comparison to the previous post.

Have a peak at the variation of these freshly arrived Western Sandpipers we’re seeing here in Matagorda County, especially the last one, all photographed yesterday on a moist soil unit.

Short-eared Owl, today, at the ranch wetlands near Palacios.

Also notable: Flocks of 200+ Pectoral Sandpipers have been foraging in freshly flushed rice - which appears to be crucial drought relief and perfect timing for the Texas coastal plain. Even better, today's unexpected steady rain just might expand habitat a bit longer, right as the Buffies arrive!

Spring migration note: Big flocks of Long-billed Dowitchers were still foraging at freshly flushed rice fields last week, while American Golden Plover numbers continue to rise along Texas coastal plain pastures.

For the past few weeks, several thousand Sandhill Cranes have used a small complex of managed freshwater wetlands. Yesterday, I went for a peek. These inland wetlands are on private working lands along the midcoast of Texas, the same I monitor for shorebird use during migration. Beautiful to see.