calidris (speckled water bird) melanotos (from melas, black, and noton, back)
Friday, April 18, 1980 — 12:00 noon
Northbrook, Illinois
As the weather got warmer and migration started, I began going outside every chance I found to see birds. I even took advantage of my lunch time at a distribution company to wander around a nearby empty lot and golf course behind the building.
For these birds, however, I didn’t have to go very far. Between the back of the building and the parking lot was a small grassy area. As soon as I walked outside, I spotted them wading in puddles in the grass. They fed, dipping their bills in the water as they moved around. When I got too close, they flushed, flew around the field once, then took off out of sight.