ML619162325

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Mark’s Comments: Medium-sized Calidris sandpipers, larger than the Semipalmated Sandpipers and smaller than the Pectoral Sandpipers present, with long tapered looking bodies. Completely white rumps seen well, and in flight too. Black tails. Long wings with wingtips usually extending well beyond the tails, and usually crossed. A little rusty coloration on the crowns, auriculars, and backs. Much warmer coloration than the Semipalmated Sandpipers. Pale superciliums, with streaked necks and breasts with some dark streaks and chevrons on the sides extending to the flanks. Bill bases of lower mandibles orangish to reddish, very difficult to see and video/photograph on these birds at the distance and in the late evening light (diagnostic when visible, some of the captured footage shows this field mark, albeit a bit faintly, best to zoom screen/photos). Legs and feet dark/black. Maybe due to the distance and the late evening light, or molt status, or maybe because these are first summer birds or maybe females, these birds didn’t seem as strongly or as brightly marked, and the lower mandible bases as reddish, as most I’ve seen in the spring. Day 2, continuing 2nd Gwinnett County eBird record birds. These birds will sometimes lay down, possibly complicating ID, usually after preening. Viewing distance is usually 125-200 yards as the birds move around. Still here at session close. - - - Handheld phonescoped video screen captures. See comparison footage with Semipalmated Sandpipers in the Semipalmated Sandpiper section below.

Technical information

Dimensions

1337 pixels x 995 pixels

Original file size

275.64 KB