Post by Gord on Aug 14, 2009 21:11:13 GMT -8
This week I was out for a little bit in the morning to see the shorebirds. Always love going out to see them!
Western Sandpiper were the most common sandpiper today.
There were more than a few Semipalmated Sandpipers as well. These little birds are certainly a challenge to tell apart. The lack of reddish scapulars (the row of feathers on the back) helps tell them from Western Sandpiper. They also have shorter bills (sometimes tough to use for ID) and a little darker pattern in the face and head.
I saw about a half dozen Baird's Sandpiper. These guys are a little larger than the above and buffier with a scaly pattern. The wingtips stick out further as well past the tail.
Little Least Sandpipers were fairly abundant as well. The juveniles have a bit more bright plumage as little sandpipers go.
(I think this one might be an adult though just getting into some molt)
On the topic of molt, this Western Sandpiper is not wasting any time getting into the gray winter colours.
I also saw a few adult Western Sandpipers but I think most of them have already passed and what is coming through now are the juveniles who come a little later. Wasnt able to capture a shot of an adult today.
Further out were lots of Black-bellied Plover and I caught a glimpse of a couple Sanderling. I saw a few dowitchers and I suspected Short-billed. A group of three flew by making their flight call which differs from the very similar looking Long-billed.
Always lots of action with flocks of shorebirds flying back and forth
...and a Great Blue Heron
Semipalmated Plovers were absent at first but soon found around 40 of them. Cute little guys! Mostly juvenile ones as well but a higher ratio of adults were seen compared to the 'peeps' (the Least, Western et al Sandpipers) where most were juvenile.
Juvenile
Adult
On the way back many could be seen resting among the tufts of vegetation.
A Semipalmated in front and two Westerns behind
A sleeping Least Sandpiper
Towards the end this Peregrine Falcon blazed on by looking for a meal. That sure gets birds moving around!!!
I then took a quick drive to Tswasswan and enjoyed seeing the Willet walk on by as I sat on a log eating a Big Mac.
Always lots to see out there! A nice treat to get to go.
Western Sandpiper were the most common sandpiper today.
There were more than a few Semipalmated Sandpipers as well. These little birds are certainly a challenge to tell apart. The lack of reddish scapulars (the row of feathers on the back) helps tell them from Western Sandpiper. They also have shorter bills (sometimes tough to use for ID) and a little darker pattern in the face and head.
I saw about a half dozen Baird's Sandpiper. These guys are a little larger than the above and buffier with a scaly pattern. The wingtips stick out further as well past the tail.
Little Least Sandpipers were fairly abundant as well. The juveniles have a bit more bright plumage as little sandpipers go.
(I think this one might be an adult though just getting into some molt)
On the topic of molt, this Western Sandpiper is not wasting any time getting into the gray winter colours.
I also saw a few adult Western Sandpipers but I think most of them have already passed and what is coming through now are the juveniles who come a little later. Wasnt able to capture a shot of an adult today.
Further out were lots of Black-bellied Plover and I caught a glimpse of a couple Sanderling. I saw a few dowitchers and I suspected Short-billed. A group of three flew by making their flight call which differs from the very similar looking Long-billed.
Always lots of action with flocks of shorebirds flying back and forth
...and a Great Blue Heron
Semipalmated Plovers were absent at first but soon found around 40 of them. Cute little guys! Mostly juvenile ones as well but a higher ratio of adults were seen compared to the 'peeps' (the Least, Western et al Sandpipers) where most were juvenile.
Juvenile
Adult
On the way back many could be seen resting among the tufts of vegetation.
A Semipalmated in front and two Westerns behind
A sleeping Least Sandpiper
Towards the end this Peregrine Falcon blazed on by looking for a meal. That sure gets birds moving around!!!
I then took a quick drive to Tswasswan and enjoyed seeing the Willet walk on by as I sat on a log eating a Big Mac.
Always lots to see out there! A nice treat to get to go.