Dipping means not finding the bird you are looking for. Today was a full day of Dips.
Started at King Preserve looking for a Red-Headed Woodpecker – Dipped.
On to Nicholas Farm to meet the Red Crossbill – Dipped.
South Kingstown Land Trust in search of the Eastern Meadowlark – Dipped.
I went home, took a shower, had some lunch & rested my tired feet. I was revived enough to go out again. I was not expecting different results.
On to Perry Pond to try to find the Long-Billed Dowitcher that was sighted once the prior day. It was the same time – I thought that might work.
I sat there for 30 minutes looking at each duck and every reed trying to find the bird. I drove around and looked at the back of the pond.
Nada.
I came back for one more look.
Lo and behold, I spotted a smallish gray lump on legs.
This was the bird.
I was sure of it, but not an identifiable situation – it was tucked into a tight little ball.
It was probably asleep.
A duck splashed it and it woke.
There was the bill and the shape I was looking for.
My day of dips ending with a success.
Zen birding lesson of the day: Sometimes a bad day can turn into a good one with just one little bird.
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