[SBB] New Chicago Marsh

This morning Bob Power, Frank Vanslager and I clockwise circumnavigated New Chicago Marsh starting where the RR tracks cross the entrance road to the Environmental Education Center. It was soon apparent that about 50 percent of the sandpipers seen yesterday (7/19, and in the last few days) were now gone. Best birds seen were SNOWY PLOVER (one in the pond south of the RR tracks near the RR junction which later flew into the northwestern corner of the marsh and four in the impoundment (mitigation pond) located between the RR tracks and Salt Pond A12 and an alternate plumaged LESSER YELLOWLEGS (also in the south pond). Salt Pond A16 continues to host at least one male LESSER SCAUP and today Bob pointed out a female NORTHERN PINTAIL with five young.in tow (a single downy Mallard in a channel near the south pond would seen to have a precarious future). Should also point out that Phalaropes are ever more apparent throughout the marsh and nearby ponds with many seen in Salt Pond A13.