roseated spoonbill in DE

For the past few weeks there have been reports of roseated spoonbill in DE. It is quite a rarity! I did not post it at first because I figured that it would stay a day or two but it has been a regular and lots of people have been flocking to DE to see it.,

The first Roseate Spoonbill ever found in Delaware is in the back of Fenwick Island's Catch 54 restaurant...

people are posting play by play activities of this oddity

As of 3:25, the spoonbill was resting comfortably in the yard at the private residence along Madison Ave. Very close for great photo opportunities.

My fiance and I traveled south to see the Roseate Spoonbill this a.m. We first saw the bird around 8:45 flying towards Catch 54 from the west thanks to a gentleman who pointed it out as we were scanning the marsh. The bird landed very near Catch 54 and we quickly made our way back to the car. We viewed the bird from about 9:00-9:45 at less than 100 yards! It was resting
on the rocks along the waters edge just behind the private residence on Madison Ave.

The Roseate Spoonbill could be seen from the bridge west of the Catch 54 restaurant in Fenwick at 7am.

The bird is light, although obviously pink. Judging from Sibley's illustrations, it cannot be an adult but is most likely a second-year bird. It is unbanded. I recommend the Catch 54 Restaurant both for its food and its extraordinary ability to generate good luck for its patrons.

BTW, here's a link to a map that was posted by Tyler on DE-Birds the other day ... http://tinyurl.com/kn9laj The location is in Fenwick, DE about 1/2 mile west of Rt 1 and about 100-200 yards north of the MD/DE state boundary which runs along 146th Street, just south of Delaware Rt 54. Harpoon Hannah's is immediately north of the boundary.

After about 1 minute of scanning, the ROSEATE SPOONBILL came flying in from the north east side of Catch 54, around the building, did a circle over the field of Geese and lighted on the marsh edge nearest the field. It was initially obscured by vegetation but after another couple minutes the bird could be seen very well, foraging in the open water of the tidal creek, close to the edge of the field. Two other pairs of birders also enjoyed this view as the bird periodically switched from foraging, preening, and bathing (splashing around and flapping). We all probably watched it from about 1:30 PM to 1:50 PM, after which we had great looks at it flying back towards the east side of Catch 54. Very nice.

I arrived at the Catch 54 restaurant around 5 pm (6/25) and did not find the bird there. I drove around, south of Harpoon Hannah's restaurant, as suggested by Joe Hanfman, and then pulled in behind the Happy Harry's pharmacy on the north side of Rt 54, just east of the bridge, and found the bird in the wetlands around 5:15. At 5:30 the bird flew and I lost sight of it behind the phrag about one minute before Bill Hubick, Jim Brighton, and Stan Arnold arrived. A few minutes later it flew back to the same spot, behind the pharmacy. The four of us then moved to the top of the bridge when we could see it and also see into Maryland in case it flew south. We watched it until 9:15 pm but it stayed in DE, north of Rt 54, the entire time. Sometimes it was out of sight in the wetlands behind taller vegatation. Later in the evening it flew to the west side of the river, immediately north of the Catch 54 restaurant and landed on the grass with some Canada Geese and Mallards. It wandered to the edge of the water (still just north of the restaurant) and took a nap. Next it flew a short distance to the flats right next to the restaurant. Around 9:05 pm it settled in for the evening. We left around 9:15. I ran an errand (purchased some Harpoon Hannah's coconut muffins to take home ... ummm!) and checked the bird one more time at 9:35 pm from the Catch 54 restaurant ... it was still there, asleep! I have some photos of it DE that I will forward to the DE Records Committee. Bill Hubick has lots of good pix.

Here are some notes on finding Delaware's first reported Roseate Spoonbill.
I went down early, arriving at 7:30 am. The bird was roosting and feeding in the ponds on the north side of Rt. 54, west of Bennett Rd and the Catch 54 Restaurant. I was able to pick the bird out with the unaided eye along the elevated roadway past the bridge. I came back, turning at the light for the Cape Windsor development (formerly trailer park). I was able to park here along the remains of old Rt 54 and walk across the street to observe the bird and not be run-over.
About 8:00 am the bird picked up and flew back into the marsh behind some pine trees. It remained hidden despite trying to get several different angles to see where it landed. I even got permission to enter the Treasure Island campground just west of the marsh. Everything was unsuccessful, even after joined by Maurice and Jen. After 3 hours we decided to break for lunch at Catch 54, also a boat rental, Jet Ski area. All day was foggy until the clouds lifted at noon, and then boat activity picked up on the canal between Little Assawoman Bay (De) and Big Assawoman Bay (Md). As I watched the jet skis and eco kayaks go where I saw the bird fly into in the morning, I eventually saw the spoonbill flying back towards the canal. After a couple attempts to feed, it flew into roost at the one spot where it wouldn't be disturbed, right by the farmhouse. The locals said the bird has been there since Saturday. I guess even bird-sympathizing, presby-optic locals can't miss a pink bird. If you go down early, look for the bird along Rt 54 west of the bridge. As traffic picks up, the bird will fly away. If you get to Fenwick in late morning, wait by the restaurant for it to come into roost. I showed pictures and the bird to several staff members, including the bartender. His bar looks out over the marsh and he seemed interested in wildlife. Special thanks to Richard Wood for his initial report! Strong work!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyinde/sets/.