ML126738781

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

MEGA* 2nd California Record found by Roger Muscat. Per Paul Lehman 9th or 10th ABA record, 11th according to Howell's Rare Birds of North America (adding in Mexico and CA record). First Spring Record for NA. Code 5. Adult bird transitioning into breeding plumage. Unmistakable very long yellow legs, extending well past tail in flight with a long thin bill (unlike Common Greenshank). Actively feeding with Greater Yellowlegs, compared to which it was roughly half the size. Bright white face with grey back, yet extensively patterned black and brown markings. White belly throat, undertail, and bold white stripe extending up the back. Barring present on tail, as well as speckles on crown and the back side of the neck. Flight call a loud kyew. The bird was actively feeding in the canal that runs parallel to Liberty Island Road just past the 90 degree turn. Lighting was terrible and it is STRONGLY ADVISED to avoid parking here in the morning, but to instead continue driving to the far end of the canal ( park near the white bridge). DO NOT STOP moving as you drive along the canal or the birds will flush. Any attempt to approach the bird will flush the birds. It is best to keep well back so that others can see the bird and then to attempt to approach the bird very very slowly in a large group. Do not spread out along the canal as this will prevent the bird from returning once it has flushed. This bird was extremely skittish and was eventually flushed around 7:30am when it then flew South and was not seen again for the rest of the day. Good Luck.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS REBEL T1i

ISO

3200

Focal length

50 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/1.8

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

2583 pixels x 1722 pixels

Original file size

1.57 MB