Hi Clyde and Joelle,
Interesting about the semi-palmated sandpiper. I reported 4 western sandpipers
to eBird last week, based largely on the fact that it was too early for
semipalmated. They also didn't "feel" right for semi-palmated. The one thing
I can put my finger on is that all four had long, droopy bills. But now I'm
feeling a little uncertain - they weren't in breeding plumage. And they were
eating madly, so no clues from their "stance". I think they might have been a
warmer brown, although with the lighting I'm not sure. Any other clues you'd
like to share?
Susan
On Mar 31, 2012, at 8:50 AM, va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:26:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Joelle Buffa <clyde_joelle@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Va-bird] Stilt, Semi-palmated and Pectoral at Chincateague
NWR
To: Listserve Virginia <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:
<1333124817.30899.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
During this week's Shorebird survey at Chincoteague NWR, we were surprised to
see a number of what we would consider early species and large numbers of
others:? One Semi-palmated Sandpiper was on the Hook among the Piping
Plovers, Least Sandpiper 23 along?the Wildlife Loop?(seen 2 weeks ago too),
Pectoral Sandpiper in Old Fields impoundment near the Maryland border, 6
Stilt Sandpipers: 5 in the impoundments and 1 on the beach which is a first
for us, and 6 Common Terns in Toms Cove among the Forster Terns. We also
counted 3,428 Dunlin which is a large increase over 2 weeks ago and 73 Lesser
Black-backed Gulls on Wild Beach which is a record high number for us but in
a location where they are regular.
?
All in all, a noteworthy survey at the Refuge.
?
Clyde Morris & Joelle Buffa
