2 LONG BILLED CURLEWS LEARY PARK!!!

[JeffOver]

Wowsers!!!! ;D ;D 8-)Took a walk in the field behind our place today and startled 2 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, or rather they startled me. Anyway, they flew into the next field and stayed there until I ran home and got my birdbook to identify them. The only other bird with such a down-curved bill is the whimbrel, and I could see the reddish colours when they flew and they also made the coo-leeee sound when they flew. I double-checked the sounds on the online Cornell Bird guide. Definitely long-billed curlews. While I was watching them, a peregrine falcon even tried to take a couple swipes at them, then realized they were a bit bigger than he was. He did manage to scare them off, however. They flew south in a pretty determined manner--it didn't look like they were planning to return. LIFERS for me, and am I right in thinking they're rare out in the valley here?? (I've seen them on the Vancouver RBA a few times)
However, if you want to check them out, go to Leary Park and take the path that heads straight north from the parking lot. You will see 2 fields in front of you but you have to jump over a ditch--there's a small log bridge just west of the north path. They were in the weedy field first and then they flew to the brown field close to a small puddle--I could see them with binoculars without jumping the ditch. Then they took off flying south. It's worth a try.
I also found American pipits and a Wilson's snipe in the weedy field. Anyway, leaving for Mississippi on Saturday for a week--won't have time to go birding but you never know what might turn up along the road!
--Jeff, trying to calm down his rapidly beating heart!!!! ;D ;D

[Gord]

NICE WORK!! That is an excellent sighting and very good description. While we dont need a book written on your sighting to believe it, documenting key field marks is always good not only for the record books but also it helps one learn the field marks on all birds. Ever since I started being really detailed on taking notes and even sketching what I saw, especially on less common birds, you come so familiar with that bird.
Back to the curlews! Im plenty excited and Im just sitting here! That is certainly news worthy! Again, well done!
Have fun in Mississippi, and keep a list of what you see!!!

[josterhold]

hello jeff
good find on the curlews. where exactly is leary park?
cheers,
jason
ryder lake,bc

[Dave]

WOw, Jeff

Congrats on the good find. I have only seen a few, never local. Keep your eyes open!

DB

[Gord]

Leary Park is near Prest where it goes over the tracks. I cant think of the name of the street though!

[JeffOver]

My Mom heard and saw them today again--I'm going to check them out in a bit.

Leary Park is on Walden Road off of First just west of Prest. There's a school there too, with big lights.

I'll let you know if I see them again tonight.

[JeffOver]

No luck tonight--I checked around 7:00ish and again around 8:30. However, a tractor in the next field over may have had something to do with it.
My mom saw them flying over the neighbour's house around 3:00, then heard them later at about 3:30 somewhere in the field closer to Leary Park.

However, I managed to add another (more common) bird to my lifer list--6 Least Sandpipers. DB was in the area and helped me ID them. We were able to get within 10-15 feet of them!

[Dave]

Here are some pictures that I snapped when Jeff and I were super close to the Least Sandpipers. The longer we stood in the field, the closer they came. They were eventually within 10 feet, and I was surprised at them. They did stop often to make sure I was "still still".







On a side note, I had a Sharp-shinned Hawk trying to help me by reducing my birdseed budget this afternoon. I think its patience was rewarded with a goldfinch. Yellow-rumped Warblers, Goldfinches, House Finches, a Purple Finch, some Juncos (still), grosbeaks, blackbirds, Stellar's Jays, and a downy round out the birds of the backyard

Dave