Birdwalk Highlights for 8/15: Florida Lake Park and Hidden Pond Preserve, Freeport.

With a low tide on the bay and low water levels on lakes and ponds, we decided to head inland to look for shorebirds today. However, with a light northwest wind overnight, it were passerine migrants and activity that stole the show today.

At Florida Lake Park, there were a smattering of passage migrants among the local breeders, included one each of CAPE MAY WARBLER and PRAIRIE WARBLER and 5 BOBOLINKS. Other migratory species some of which undoubtably bred right here, included 2 CANADA WARBLERS, but also at least 10 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS (including at least one fledgling still being fed by the father), at least 10 EASTERN PHOEBES, 6 GRAY CATBIRDS, 4 RED-EYED VIREOS, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES, 2 YELLOW WARBLERS, 2 EASTERN KINGBIRDS, and one each of NOTHERN PARULA, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and BROAD-WINGED HAWK.

In the pond, we did have some shorebirds, but fewer than their have been, with only 5 KILLDEER but also a goodly 6-7 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS. We had a young HOODED MERGANSER and three very young WOOD DUCKS as well, with a handful of BARN SWALLOWS zipping around.

A quick spin at Hidden Pond offered up an ALDER FLYCATCHER and 1-2 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, while adding another Solitary Sandpiper and 5 more Common Yellowthroats to the morning's tally.