Bird of the Day

Our usual early morning bike ride to the beach was scotched by the discovery that the refuge was closed because they were spraying for something or other. I think some kind of noxious weed. But I did see four (FOUR) clapper rails in their usual spot on the Chincoteague side of the channel! One of them was taking a very thorough bath (see extra).

After lunch we decided to drive back across the island to the bridge to Assateague and see if they had opened up again (too hot to ride bikes!) and - as it turned out they had - we went to the busy end of the beach - where everybody and his second cousin goes to swim - and where there are lifeguards. We went for a long beach walk and it was there that I found this ruddy turnstone - as well as some lovely people watching.

Also - a very nice butterfly kite (see second extra).