ML72025141

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - X

Observation details

Rare, irregular fall migrant in Chester County. First reported 10/14/17 by John Daniel and subsequently seen and photographed by others. Today, the bird was in the main pond feeding in thigh high water about 100 yds. from the inner trail. Viewing conditions were poor-to-fair with an overcast sky and occasional spits of drizzle. Description through 8x42 binoculars was of a medium sized shorebird gray above and white below with an obvious white supercilium, long bill which was heavier at the base and tended to curve downward slightly especially near the tip. The legs were long appeared to be pale green but they were hard to see because of the high water. There was some visible light vertical streaking of the breast. The wingtips extended slightly beyond the tail. Elimination of similar species: Both species of yellowlegs are larger and taller with straight bills and orange-yellow legs; Dunlin is smaller, has a similar bill but the bill is more down curved the entire length; Curlew Sandpiper is probably the most similar species in size and shape but the bill has a pronounced curve the entire length. Both dowitcher species have much longer and straighter bills and have a chunky or more squat appearance. I was able to obtain a few distant but recognizable photos. In the enlarged photos, a bit of rusty or pale chestnut color can be seen in the face. This field mark along with the obvious shabby molting back feathers point to the bird as being an adult. This is a new eBird late date for Chester County.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

800

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/640 sec

Dimensions

2048 pixels x 1230 pixels

Original file size

949.53 KB