Day 34 May 6, 2016 --Last Day at Lewes ((Loo-iss) Delaware.

Day 34 May 6, 2016 Last Day at Lewes ((Loo-iss) Delaware.

Today it was still raining as it has every day we arrived here in Lewes. Locals say it has been a “wet Spring” and I would have to agree if this week has been any indication of its moisture. We set out anyway, to finish the roads in the Prime Hook NWR that we did not have time to finish two days ago. That is the day we counted and identified 71 birds. If we added todays total  that number would have increased by some 10-12 birds.

Slaughter Beach Rd. was the road to complete. It is about 15 miles from Lewes. We did see many small ponds in the cultivated fields and along the roadside.  In those fields were many shorebirds and a few surprises. It was interesting that these were not the huge flocks that we had seen in Bombay NWR, but mixed groups, as I think the weather on the seacoast had moved them inland in scattered groups, to forage for food in the fields where the water had moved the food around .

The homes on this road  (mostly farm homes ), were scattered and few. The approaches to culverts and streams we approached slowly  (There was hardly any traffic on this road so slowing the truck did not affect anyone) as usually there are some birds in the low spots like Snowy Egrets,  Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, and Barn Swallows who were among those seen at the culverts. Some of the folks had Purple Martin boxes (Usually gourd shells) and they were active these days.

Those wet fields on Slaughter Beach Rd. today.

One of the many birds (33) that we saw, a Lesser Yellow legs.

This has to be the smallest drawbridge in all of America.
It was on Slaughter Road on a very small canal.
It was about 10 feet across. I am sure you would have to call
the bridge operator to get it to open.

A Carolina Wren came while one of the five Rose
Breasted Grosbeaks was feedingp at the feeder.

Two new birds for our list were the Purple Sandpiper (it took us quite a while to sort that one out)  and the Pectoral Sandpiper, as we do not see many of those. As usual, we discuss our difference and if we cannot agree , then the bird is not counted. We do have a few of these times. Also there was a Sharp Shinned Hawk on a wire, and that has not been seen in almost a month.  Sometimes we will both say the name of the bird at one time. That is a SOLID identification.

We did see one deer by a woods , but no foxes or turkeys, today.  The catbirds must be next to the robins, as the most numerous birds in Delaware. They are everywhere, including our campsite.

Speaking of our campsite , we maintained the feeders (seed, suet and nectar for the hummers). We have had eight bird species stop and feed, and today we added the BLUE GROSBEAK. We had seen it before but not at the trailer. Review:   TWO CHIPPING SPARROW, RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, 5 ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAKS, A BLUE GROSBEAK, CARDINAL, TITMOUSE, and a CAROLINA WREN have come to the trailer feeders. That makes a great campsite after a long hard day’s work identifying birds!

We ended the day getting a hard drive for my computer as I had reached my capacity with the photos at over 33,000 of them. 

The story of Lewes

This is Zwaanendael Museum, modeled after the Dutch homes in
the Netherlands. There were 27 steps to the second floor.

One of many period homes in Lewes.
Like the color?

The settlement of Lewes might have looked like this in 1618

The King of Netherlands, Do you know his name?

This house has been added on to a few tmes
but the orignal strcture still stands.

Downtown Lewes today. A very "touristy town with a
great history and pride.

We took a short tour of the town of Lewes, including the Ferry Terminal for a look see”. Remember Lewes is “First city in the First state”.  We returned to the trailer for some computer /photo work. Jim still needs some lessons. Ruth provided them.

Next is Cape May, NJ, where if timing and weather cooperate, should be the peak of the warbler migration.  We shall see.  Ferry ride tomorrow across Delaware Bay. Join us on the other side.