ML203633111

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

HR writes: While scoping shorebirds on an algae mat on facultative pond #1, Eric Caine and I both came across a bird we thought was likely a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Its plumage was light in color, the bill short and rather stout looking for a peep. The bird soon flew to the dike at the north edge of the pond, so we went to look for it there. After possibly finding the bird on the dike and back on the algae mat, we finally located it for certain and were able see it from close up after it flew to the dike near us. The bird was about the size of nearby Western Sandpipers, perhaps slightly smaller, and was overall quite light-colored. The bill was noticeably shorter than any Western around it and slightly shorter than the Least Sandpipers. It was straight, black, and less tapered than either of those species. The bird was a juvenile, as evidenced by its scaly back, and showed almost no rufous in the back or wings. The scapulars were dark, showing a line of feathers with blackish centers and narrow, whitish edges on each side. The white underparts were interrupted by a poorly-defined, light gray breast band. The mostly-white face showed light gray auriculars and some darkness between the eye and the bill. A white supercilium broadened some behind the eye and set off a dingy, grayish cap. The legs were black; the toes and degree of webbing not well seen. We viewed the bird with spotting scopes and binoculars, initially from 125 m, then 60 m on the algae mat, finally getting excellent views in very good lighting conditions from as close as 15 m on the dike. Frustratingly, my camera would not focus on the bird, so my photos are of poor quality but recognizable. Ralph will post higher quality photos.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX L820

ISO

125

Focal length

168 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.8

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

1600 pixels x 1200 pixels

Original file size

459.29 KB