Dowitcher

[kastern]

I was supposed to be packing the trailer as we are heading out to spend next week up in the Merritt/Logan Lake area, but, as usual I got side tracked down at the flats. First thing that caught my attention was this little group which consisted of 4 Pectoral Sandpipers and one Dowitcher - not sure if it was a Long bill or a Short bill but definitely a Dowitcher and another new species for the area.


Other species seen were:
Barn Swallows - a dozen or more
Violet Green Swallow - at least one
Vaux's Swifts - 40 or 50
Killdeer - 5
Savannah Sparrow - 7 or 8
White Crowned Sparrow - lots! mainly juveniles
Song Sparrows - 4
Towhee - 3
Dark Eyed Juncos - seemed like hundreds
Robin - 1
Stellers Jay - 4
Northern Flicker - 1
Raven - 2
Canada Geese - 30 or so out on the flats
Mallards - a dozen or so
Blue Wing Teal (I think) - 10 or so
Green Wing Teal - a couple (all ducks in eclispe plumage)
Red Tail Hawk - at least a couple
Turkey Vulture - 1
Bald Eagle - 2
Northern Harrier - at least 2
Hawk - large, dark colored
American Pipit - a dozen or so
Black Capped Chickadees - 3
several misc. sparrows I couldn't get good looks at

Kathy

[Gord]

Kathy, by rights, that should be a long-billed dowitcher, but unless you get a good look at the tail or hear calls, one wouldnt be able to say 100% it isnt a short-bill even though most dowitchers in the area now are long-billed.

Have fun on your trip!