Black-necked Stilts – Westport Massachusetts

Black-necked Stilts are a rare visitor to Bristol County Massachusetts. The usual range on the East Coast is up to Delaware and southern New Jersey. Last year, a pair of black-necked Stilts were present on the pannes at Allens Pond Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary and stayed for about two weeks. Many birders came down to see them.
This year, another pair of Black-necked Stilts arrived at the sanctuary and have been foraging on the pannes. One question is these the same pair as was here last year?
I spent around two hours yesterday in a corner of the pannes observing and photographing the Black-necked Stilts. They worked their way up and down the pannes searching for food. They took no notice of me and actually approached within 15 to 20 feet given the exceptionally good views of them.

"Their diet consists of brine shrimp and brine flies, other aquatic insects and insect larvae, small fish, snails, and frogs. Black-necked Stilts forage by wading through the water, picking and jabbing with their bills, and sometimes submerging their heads and upper breasts to nab prey. They also sweep their bills from side to side as they walk."
Since this is the time of their breeding, it be wonderful if they would establish a nest at the sanctuary, we can only hope.
Besides the Black-necked Stilts that were on the pannes, there were also Willits, Great Egret, peeps and the usual blackbirds. Mallard Willet Willet Common Grackle Great Egret Great Egret
If you are in the area I would recommend a trip to Allens Pond Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary in Westport Massachusetts and walk on the Beach Loop toward the culvert. Then look to the right along the back side of the pannes.

Birding at Allens Pond Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary

On Saturday morning, May 21 seven of us enjoyed a beautiful morning of birding. We birded from approximately 8 AM to 12 noon and found a total of 73 different species. Two of the more interesting species that were filed were a little blue heron and a stilt Sandpiper.

There were abundant shorebirds present and because of passersby Peregrine Falcons they were put up.

Birding Group

Daffodils
Because of location and distances of some of the birds pictures were not obtained but here is a a sample of what we had seen. 

Black Mustard

Willits on Stone Wall



Mourning Dove



Seasie Sparrow

Saltmarsh sparrow

Fowlers toad

Fowler's Toad



Piping Plover



American Redstart

Starflowe

Brown-headed Cwbird

Scarlet Tanager

Eastern Towhee

    

.