Biddeford Pool is one of the best spots in the state for seeing shorebirds. Shorebirds are one of the first southbound migrants to peak. In fact, there "fall" migration peaks in late August! With this in mind, I took 11 year-old birding prodigy Luke Seitz of Falmouth down to the Pool this morning.

We began at Hills Beach, where we enjoyed many shorebirds including 5 Hudsonian Godwits. Then, we drove to East Point Sanctuary on the other side of the peninsula. A wayward Orchard Oriole was a suprise, and we were treated to about 50 Wilson's Storm Petrels dancing in the waves offshore. We walked through the neighborhood, and down the road to Hattie's Deli. With the onshore wind and the full moon, the tide had rushed in higher and faster than usual, so few birds were seen here.

But, then, we continued our loop to the north end of Biddeford Pool Beach - and we hit paydirt! Hundreds of shorebirds were feeding in the surf of the incoming tide. We had close up views of multiple White-rumped Sandpipers, always a treat, as well as the more common species.

Then, as the tide continued to come in, and the shorebirds filled their bellies (actually, their crops to be accurate), they began funneling in to roost on the rocks at the end of the beach. We approached slowly and carefully, climbed the rocks up to the road, and looked down to see not hundreds, but THOUSANDS of birds! At least 2,000 shorebirds were roosting on the rocks a mere 15 feet from us! Over 1500 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 400 or so Semipalmated Plovers, with a smattering of White-rumped and Least Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings also present.

As if that wasn't enough icing on our day's birding cake, we rounded the corner and moseyed down Ocean Ave back to the car. A wave or two must of washed over the rocks the birds had been roosting on, as the flock flies around the bend and lands on the dry rocks just offshore in front of us, providing a second hearty helping. And to top it off, Luke picks out a single Purple Sandpiper, a rare occurrence in August (they usually don't arrive until October) among the group.

What a great morning out!