SHOREBIRDS

Len’s Lens – Volume 2

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CopyrightLenBlumin–March2018

Frontcover:MarbledGodwit–May–BodegaBay,CA

InmemoryofRichStallcup1944-2012

“Damnthewinds,let’sgobirding…”

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Len’s Lens – Volume 2

The SHOREBIRDS Shorebirds are a group of specialized bird families that seen mostly along our coasts and at interior wetlands. A few have evolved to forage in upland areas. They number 210+ species worldwide, with about 50 species breeding regularly in North America (O’Brien, et. al., 2006). Current taxonomic schemes place shorebird families in the order Charadriiformes, along with the Gulls, Terns, and Auks (Alcids). Shorebirds families featured here are birds photographed on trips during the past 18 years:

Recurvirostridae – Stilts and Avocets 6-9 Haematopodidae – Oystercatchers 10-13 Charadriidae – Plovers and Lapwings 14-27 Jacanidae – Jacanas 28

Scolopacidae – Sandpipers 29-60

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StiltsandAvocets Black-neckedStilt6-7 AmericanAvocet8-9Oystercatchers BlackOystercatcher10-11 AmericanOystercatcher12-13PloversandLapwings Black-belliedPlover14-15 AmericanGolden-Plover16 PacificGolden-Plover17 Killdeer18-19 Wilson’sPlover20-21 SemipalmatedPlover22-23 PipingPlover24 SnowyPlover25 MountainPlover26 SouthernLapwing27Jacanas NorthernJacana28Sandpipers,PhalaropesandAllies UplandSandpiper29 Whimbrel30 Long-billedCurlew31 HudsonianGodwit32 MarbledGodwit33 BlackTurnstone34 RuddyTurnstone35(andbackcover)

Sandpipers,PhalaropesandAllies–(continued)RedKnot36Surfbird37Ruff38Sharp-tailedSandpiper39StiltSandpiper40Sanderling41Dunlin42RockSandpiper43Baird’sSandpiper44LeastSandpiper45PectoralSandpiper46SemipalmatedSandpiper47WesternSandpiper48Short-billedDowitcher49Long-billedDowitcher50Wilson’sSnipe51SpottedSandpiper52SolitarySandpiper53WanderingTattler54GreaterYellowlegs55LesserYellowlegs56Willet57Wilson’sPhalarope58Red-neckedPhalarope59RedPhalarope60(Seep.61forAcknowledgements/References)

Species Index

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PhotographyandtechnicalnotesAllphotosweretakenbytheauthor,usinganadaptertomountasmalldigitalcameracloselytotheeyepieceofaSwarovskiHDspottingtelescope,atechniquecalled“digi-scoping”.Overtheyearsanumberofcameraswereused,startingwithaNikontwist-bodyCoolPix(CP)4500,andprogressingtotheCP8400,andtheCP6000.ThenewerNikon1seriescamerasofferedalargersensor.TheNikon1V1withtheNikkor18.5mmlenshasbeenamainstayforthepast4-5years.Thequalityofthescopeismoreimportantthanthecamera,andasteadytripodhelpsalot.Takingphotosthroughaspottingscopeallowsonetophotographbirdsfromadistance,whichinturnpermitsobservingthemwithminimaldisturbance.Forproducingthecurrentvolumethedigitalphotoswerereducedinsizeto1MBJPEGs,thenimportedtoanMSWorddocumentlandscapetemplatefromthepublisher(MagCloud).Thefinal“book”filewassavedasaPDF,inasizethatalloweduploadingtoMagCloudforprintingorviewing.AreducedPDFfileofthebookisthenmadeavailabletosendwithanemailortoviewwithacomputerorportabledevice.SpeciesarepresentedroughlyintheorderusedbytheAmericanOrnithologicalSociety(AOS),formedin2016byamergeroftheAmericanOrnithologists’Union(AOU)andtheCooperOrnithologicalSociety(COS).FavoritesitesforshorebirdphotographyincludedCalifornia’scoastandwetlands(many),Florida’sGulfCoast,Texas’GulfCoast,andConnecticut’sshores,plusafewfromMexico,TrinidadandTobago,andCostaRica.Some“soft”photosareincluded.Itseemedbettertohavearecordshotthannoneatall.Andofcoursetherearenumbersofshorebirdspeciestheauthorhasyettophotograph.

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Black-neckedStilt–Himantopusmexicanus

(Left)–AmaleBlack-neckedStiltrestsinafieldofBrassButtonflowersonanisland.Themalestiltisjetblackabove,whilethefemaleisbrown-blackonherupperparts.Thereislittleseasonalchangeintheplumage.ShorebirdMarsh,CorteMadera,CA,May.

(Right)–AnadultBlack-neckedStiltstaysclosetoabrown-backedjuvenileastheyforage.Thecovertsandscapularsshowfaintbuffymargins.Thepinkcoloronthelegsdeepenswithage.BothinMarsh,MillValley,CA,January.

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Black-neckedStilt–Himantopusmexicanus

(Above)–ForagingadultBlack-neckedStilt.Thedarkredirisisdifficulttophotograph.ShorebirdMarsh,CorteMadera,CA,November.

(Right)–Afemalestiltwithherspottedegg.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,May,

(Above)-Theyoungstilthaspalerpinklegs,agrayneckandgray-brownback.ShorebirdMarsh,CorteMadera,CA,November.

(Left)–Juvenilestilt,sittingonitsankles.Notethefringesonthescapularsandcoverts.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,July.

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Breedingplumageavocets.Femaleonthelefthasamoresharplyupcurvedbill.LasGallinasponds,SanRafael,CA,April

AmericanAvocet–Recurvirostraamericana

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(Above)–AdultAmericanAvocetinbreedingplumage.Thelonglegswithpartiallywebbedtoeshelpwhenforaginginmuddysubstrates.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,June.

(Above)–Adultmaleinwinter(basic)plumage.Theyforageinbaysandarequitetolerantofsalinewaters,evenhypersalinesitessuchasMonoLake,CAandGreatSaltLake,UT.ShorebirdMarsh,CorteMadera,CA,December.

(Above)–Adays-oldavocetisabletoforageforitself.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,July.

AmericanAvocet–Recurvirostraamericana

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BlackOystercatcher–Haematopusbachmani

(Right)–ApairofBlackOystercatchersrestjustabovethehightideline.Notethelaterallycompressedbillsthatallowthemopenmusselsthatarefoundonrockyoutcrops,suchasherejustbelowtheviewingareaatBodegaHead,BodegaBay,CA,October.Despitethename,theyrarelyeatoysters.

(Above)–OystercatcherpairontherockyshoreofStrawberryPoint,MillValley,CA,November.Thefemaleisontheleft,asexplainedbelow.

(Left)–Themale’spupilusuallylooksrounderthanthefemale’s.

(Right)–Thefemale’spupilusuallylooksoutofround,duetothepresenceofablackfleckontheyellowirisatthe7:30o’clockposition.Asmallerfleckmaybeseenthereinsomemales.(Seepage61,Guzzetti,2008.)k

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BlackOystercatcher–Haematopusbachmani

(Right)–Theadultoystercatcherhaspriedalimpetfromanintertidalrockusingitsflattenedbillasachisel.Theirdietconsistsmainoflimpetsandmussels,plustheoccasionworm.SpudPointMarina,BodegaBayHarbor,CA,March.

(Below)–Theredcolorofthebilldevelopsgraduallyoverthefirst2-3years.Thedistalhalfofthebillonthissubadultisstillgray.PortoBodega,BodegaBayHarbor,CA,May.

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AmericanOystercatcher–Haematopuspalliatus

TheAmericanOystercatcherhaswhiteunderparts,easilydistinguishingitfromthewestcoastBlackOystercatcher.Birdpicturedaboveisafemale,asjudgedbytheprominentblackfleckatthe7:30positionontheyellowiris.FredHoward,ParkTarponSprings,FL,February.

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AmericanOystercatcher–Haematopuspalliatus

AdultmaleAmericanOystercatcher(roundpupil).NorthBeach,FortDeSotoPark,FL,February.

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Black-belliedPlover–Pluvialissquatarola

Theblack-belliedisthelargestofthePluvialisplovers.Notetherobustbuildandheavybill.Thebreedingmale(above)isblackerthanthefemale.Soonthey’llheadnorthtobreedinthetundra.SeenhereatNorthBeach,FortDeSotoPark,St.Petersburg,FL,lateApril.

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(Right)-InAprilweseetheappearanceofsomeblackonthefaceandbelly,transitioningintobreedingplumage.RolloverPass,BolivarPeninsula,TX,April.

(Left)-Typicalwinterplumage,withmutedshadesofgray.CommonontheWestCoast.Ploversaresightfeeders,withlargeeyestospotavarietyofinvertebrateprey.SanLeandroMarina,SanLeandro,CA,December.

Black-belliedPlover–Pluvialissquatarola

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AmericanGolden-Plover–Pluvialisdominica

(Right)–DuringmigrationtheAmericanGolden-Ploversfeedonavarietyofinvertebrateprey.Amowedlawnmakesiteasyforthemtofindinsectsandworms.Thefaceandbellyareintransitiontothejetblackofbreedingplumage.TheyarelessshyinpublicareaslikehereatFortTravisPark,BolivarPoint,TX,neartheentrancetoGalvestonBay.April.

(Left)–AmericanGolden-PloverinamuddyfieldneartheentrancetoAnahuacNationalWildlifeRefuge,TX,April.Notethelongwingtipsandtheprominentwhitesupercillium.

(Right)–Longwingsextendbeyondtail,hereshowingthetipsof4primaryfeathers.

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PacificGolden-Plover–Pluvialisfulva

(Left)–PacificGolden-PloverinFebruary,restingontheshorelineofadikedpondatShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA.ThebillisintermediateinthicknessandlengthbetweenthoseoftheBlack-belliedandAmericanGolden-Plovers.Tometheyarethemostgoldenofthegolden-plovers.

(Right)–Smallnumbersofthesebrightgolden-ploverswinterintheSanFranciscoBayarea,usuallyinthecompanyofBlack-belliedPlovers.ThewingsarenotquiteaslongasthoseoftheAmericanGolden-Plover,andfewerblackprimariesprojectpastthetertials.ShollenbergerPark.Petaluma,CA,February.

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Killdeer–Charadriusvociferus

(Left)–JuvenileKilldeer.LasGallinas,SanRafael,CA,June.Theupperpartfeathershaveneatbuffyedges.Killdeersearnedthe“vociferus”partoftheirnamebytheirfrequentpiercingflightcalls.

(Right)–KilldeersareseenthroughouttheU.S.,bothnearwaterandinopenfieldsorlawns.Theflameorangeeyeringglowswhentheangleofthesunisjustright.TheKilldeeristhelargestofourCharadriusplovers.LlanoSecounitoftheU.S.FishandWildlifepreservesintheCentralValley,CA,January.

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Killdeer–Charadriusvociferus

(Above)–ThebackofaKilldeercanvaryincolor.Thewingsusuallyhidethebrightorangeoftherumpseenhere.LasGallinasponds,SanRafaelCA,September.

(Right)–AdultKilldeerattheLlanoSecounitoftheU.S.FishandWildlifepreservesinCalifornia’sCentralValley,January.Notethedarkbrowncolorandlackoffringingontheback.Goodbillprofile.

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Wilson’sPlover–Charadriuswilsonia

(Left)–Wilson’sPloverswithaDunlinatRolloverPass.Inbreedingplumagetheblackchestbandstandsout,theforeheaddarkensandsomerufousappearsonthesupercillium.TheplainerfemaleisontheleftandthemaleisinfrontofaDunlinontheright.BolivarPeninsula,TX,April.

(Below)–BrightmaleatEastBeach,FortDeSotoPark,St.Petersburg,FL,April.

(Below)–MaleWilson’srestinginadepressioninthesand.Necknotextended,sothebreastbandappearsthicker.EastBeach,Fort.DeSotoPark,FL,April.

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Wilson’sPlover–Charadriuswilsonia

(Above,leftandright)–EastBeach,FortDeSotoPark,St.Petersburg,FL,April.Thesubduedblackonbreastbandandforecrownsuggesttheyarefemales.Thelongheavybillreadilysetsthemapartfromothersingle-bandedplovers.

(Left)–AWilson’sPloverwithitsfavoritepreyitem,asmallcrab.EastBeach,Fort.DeSotoPark,St.Petersburg,FL,April.

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SemipalmatedPlover–Charadriussemipalmatus

(Above)–Maleinbreedingplumage.Thethinorangeperiorbitalringcanbedifficulttoseeattimes.FredHowardPark,TarponSprings,FL,April.

(Above)–Femaleinbreedingplumage.LakeTarpon,TarponSprings,FL,April.

(Left)–SharingarockwithaSemipalmatedSandpiper.SandyPoint,WestHaven,CT,July.

(Below)–Partialwebbingbetweenthetoes,i.e.“semipalmated”.

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SemipalmatedPlover–Charadriussemipalmatus

(Above)–Juvenile,DoranBeach,BodegaBay,CA,October.Notethefringedcoverts.

(Above)–Somehaveanincompletebreastband.DarkbackhelpsseparateitfromthesimilarPipingPlover.FredHowardPark,TarponSprings,FL,February.

(Right)–Firstwinterplumage.SandyPoint,WestHaven,CT,September.

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PipingPlover–Charadriusmelodus

(Left)–PrecociousPipingPloverchick,foragingnearthewracklinealongthetopoftheSandyPointbeach,WestHaven,CT,July.Theadultsallowthechickstoroamfreely.Nodogsallowedhere.

(Right)–Adultfemaleinbreedingplumage.Thenestingareaisprotectedbyamarkedexclosure,butthepresenceofpredatorssuchasGreatBlack-backedGullsisproblematic.Notetheblackforecrown,orangeatbillbase,orange-yellowlegs,paleupperparts,andbrokenchestband.SandyPoint,WestHaven,CT,July.

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SnowyPlover–Charadriusnivosus

(Above)–SnowyPloverrestinginafootprint.LimantourBeach,Point.ReyesNationalSeashore,CA,December.

(Above)–BlacklegsanddarkupperpartshelpseparatetheSnowyfromthePipingPlover.LimantourBeach,PointReyesNationalSeashore,CA,December.

(Left)–SnowyPlover,breeding.DoranBeach,BodegaBay,CA,

(Right)–Winterplumage,DoranBeach,BodegaBay,CA.January.

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MountainPlover–Charadriusmontanus

This“shorebird”prefersinlandwinteringgroundsfeaturingrelativelybareareassuchasmowed,tilled,orburnedfields.Bigeyeslikealltheplovers,andrelativelylonglegs.Thesoftgraybrownblendswellwithbaresubstrates,makingthemhardtoseeuntiltheymove.Thesebirdsarerathershy,soapproachslowlyornotatall.AfewwerefoundatafieldalongPiercePointRoadinthePt.ReyesNationalSeashore,CA,December.MorecommonlyfoundinplowedfieldsinCalifornia’sCentralValley,wheretheycanbeseenonlyiftheyflyormovearoundamongstthedirtclods.

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SouthernLapwing–Vanelluschilensus

ThefamilyCharadriidaeismadeupoftheploversandlapwings.Exceptforrarevagrants,thelapwingsarenotseeninNorthAmerica.TheSouthernLapwinghasawidedistributioninSouthAmerica,andhasbeenextendingitrangeintoCentralAmericaandMexico.ThisindividualwasseeninTrinidadattheAripoLivestockStationduringaJanuarybirdingtriptotheislandcountryofTrinidadandTobago.TheexpandingdistributionoftheSouthernLapwingisnotallgoodnews,astheclearingofnaturalhabitatshasallowedthespeciestomovenorthward.TheNorthernLapwing(notshown)isaspeciesseeninEurasia,andsometimesavagrantintheU.SNortheast.

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NorthernJacana–Jacanaspinosa

(Aboverightandleft)–AdultJacana,CostaRica,January.Themale,smallerthanthefemale,staysclosetothejuvenileuntilitmatures.OccasionallyseeninTexasandArizonawetlands.

(Right)–JuvenileNorthernJacanaatamarshypondinCostaRica,January.Thewatchfulmaleparentwascloseby.

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UplandSandpiper–Bartramialongicauda

(Left)–UplandSandpipersbreedinAlaska,WesternCanadaandinnorthernstatesacrosscentralandeasternU.S.,thenmigratetoSouthAmericaforthewinter.Theyforageingrassyareas,suchastheseinafieldnorthoftheAnahuacNationalWildlifeRefuge,TX,April.

(Right)–Twoofaflockof10UplandSandpipersthatwereworkingtheirwayslowlythroughthesamegrassyfield.Theyhavelongnecksandlongyellowlegs.WeusedeBirdtofindrecentsightings,asthisspeciesisnotusuallyseenontherefuges.

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Whimbrel–Numeniusphaeopus

(Above)–TheWhimbrellooksalotlikeitscloserelative,theLong-billedCurlew.Notethedarkcrownstripes,lackingontheLong-billedCurlew.DoranBeach,BodegaBay,CA,November.

(Right)–Fresh-lookingplumage,butageuncertain.DoranBeach,BodegaHarbor,November.

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Long-billedCurlew–Numeniusamericanus

(Above)–AdultLong-billedCurlew,BolinasLagoon,CA,December.Notethebuffyunderparts.ThisspeciesiscommonalongtheWestCoast,wheremanywillstayforthewinter.Theybreedatinlandlocations.,andoftenforageasalargeflockinfields.

(Right)–Close-upviewofthecolorfulbandingonthetail.ShorebirdMarsh,CorteMadera,CA,December.

(Above)–Juvenileshavedarkscapularbarsandlesscinnamoncolor.Manycurlewsforagehereinwinter,despitenoiseandproximityfromamajorhighway.ShorebirdMarsh,CorteMadera,CA,December.

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HudsonianGodwit–Limosahaemastica

(Above)–RareappearanceofaHudsonianGodwitintheSanFranciscoBayArea,September2013.SeenatawetlandinsouthernNapaCounty,CA,alongBuchliStationRoad.Notethewhitesupercilliumabovethedarklores,darkcentersoncovertsandscapulars,andthegentlyupcurvedbillwithpinkbase.ComparetolargerMarbledGodwitwithitslongerpink-basedbill(nextpage).Ageandsexuncertain,butoneexpertjudgedittobeahatchyearbird.

(Aboveandbelow)–ForagingnearaslightlysmallerGreaterYellowlegs.

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MarbledGodwit–Limosafedoa

(Left)–Athightidegodwitsandwilletsleavetheintertidalmudflatsandfindasafespottoroost.TheywereinalertposturesbecauseaPeregrineFalconwasflyingoverhead.PortoBodega,BodegaBay,CA,November.

(Right)–Inbasicplumagetheproximal2/3ofthebillispink.Endofbillisblack,andoftenmuddywhenfeeding.Warmunderparts.SeefrontcoverfortheMarbledGodwitinbreedingplumage,whenorangereplacespinkandextendsalmosttothetipofthebill.DoranBeach,BodegaBay,CA,October.

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BlackTurnstone–Arenariamelanocephala

(Left)–InspringBlackTurnstonesmoltintobreedingplumage,showingsomewhiteontheheadandface.Soonthey’llsoonleavetonestinAlaska.BodegaHarbor,BodegaBay,CA,April.

(Below)–BlackTurnstonesarecommononthewestcoast,usuallyonrockyshores.Somewillforageonmuddyshores,suchasinBodegaHarbor,whereflipalgaeovertolookforfooditemsontheunderside.BodegaBay,CA,October.

(Below)–ShorebirdflockatBodegaHarbor:4BlackTurnstones,1RuddyTurnstone,1Surfbird,1Willetand2MarbledGodwits.September.

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RuddyTurnstone–Arenariainterpres

(Left)–RuddyTurnstoneindullwinterplumage,preeningonaresortdockonTobago,January.Thiswide-rangingspeciesisfoundontheshoresofall6non-icycontinents.

(Above)–ForaginginthewracklinealongaFloridacausewayinwinter.HowardPark,TarponSprings,FL,February.

(Below)–Thechangetobreedingplumageinspringisdramatic.RuddyTurnstonesarenotshy,offeringgoodopportunitiesforobservationandphotography.LakeTarpon,TarponSprings,FL,April.Seealsoonbackcover.

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RedKnot–Calidriscanutus

(Left)–Breedingplumage.BodegaBay,CA,May.

(Right)–Dullgraybasicplumage.KnotswinterinsmallnumbersintheSanFranciscoBayArea.Plainappearancemakesthemeasytomiss.BodegaBayHarbor,CA,October.

(Left)–Inspringtheknotsheadnorth,somestoppingbrieflyintheSanFranciscoBayAreatore-fuel.Breedingplumage.BodegaBayHarbor,CA,May.

(Right)–Thisknotisintransitiontofullbreedingplumage.BodegaBay,CA,

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Surfbird–Calidrisvirgata

(Above)–Breedingadult,migratingbackfromAlaska.ManywillwinteralongtheWestCoast.BodegaHarbor,BodegaBay,CA,August,

(Above)–Typicalwinterplumage.Dullgrayblendswellonrockysubstrates.BodegaHarbor,CA,October.

(Left)–Themoltfrombreedingtobasicplumageresultsinsomepuzzlingappearances.ThebillandlegcolorshelpedIDthisoneasaSurfbird.BodegaHarbor,CA,August

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Ruff–Calidrispugnax

(Left)–JuvenileRuffatShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,September.SightingsofmigratingRuffsareuncommonintheSanFranciscoBayArea.

(Right)–TheRuffseenherestayedclosetoaninjuredWilletontheesterosideoftheLimantourBeachspit.Pt.ReyesNationalSeashore,CA,December,duringaChristmasBirdCount.

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Sharp-tailedSandpiper–Calidrisacuminata

(Left)–UncommonvagranttotheWestCoast.JuvenileherevisitedShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,inOctober.Notethesharplydefinedeyering,andhowthewhitesupercilliumwidenstowardthenape.Nicerufous-edgedtertialsandrufouscrown.

(Right)–Themedium-sizedSharp-tailedSandpiperdwarfsnearbyLeastSandpipers,althoughthesizedifferenceheremaybeexaggerated.Samebirdasintheabovephoto.

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StiltSandpiper–Calidrishimantopus

(Left)–LonglegsallowtheStiltSandpipertoforageinwatertoodeepfortheothercalidrinesandpipers.Breedingplumageinthelowerbirdandbasicplumageinthebirdaboveit.IndianPointPark,nearCorpusChristi,Texas,April.

(Right)–Basicplumageshownbetterhere.Slightdroopofbillistypical.TheybreedonthetundraandmostwillwinterwelldowninSouthAmerican.Notmanymigratedownthewestcoast,asmostchoosethecentraloreasternflyways.ThesewerephotographedatIndianPointPark,nearCorpusChristi,Texas,April.

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Sanderling–Calidrisalba

(Right)–Transitiontobreedingplumage,FredHowardPark,TarponSprings,FL,April.

(Left)–ThejuvenileSanderlingsportsastrikingspangledback.SandyPoint,NewHavenHarbor,CT,September.

(Left)–Sanderlingintransitiontobreedingplumage.RestingwithdowitchersatEastBeach,FortDeSotoPark,St.Petersburg,FL,April.

(Right)–Sanderlinginbasicplumage.Notethegrayback,straightblackbillandblacklegs.BodegaHarbor,BodegaBay,CA,October.

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Dunlin–Calidrisalpina

(Left)–BreedingplumageDunlin,withaShort-billedDowitcher.NorthBeach,FortDeSotoPark,FL,

(Above)–BreedingplumageDunlinwith2RuddyTurnstones,EastBeach,FortDeSotoPark,FL,April.

(Below)–Dullwinterplumage.TheDunlinisusuallydarkerthantheother“peeps”,andthelongerdroopingbillallowsittoforageinslightlydeeperwater.TarponSprings,FL,February.

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RockSandpiper–Calidrisptilocnemis

(Right)–TheRockSandpiperisanuncommonvisitortocoastalCalifornia,asitsusualrangeisfarthertothenorth.ThisoneappearedinDecemberontherockyoutcropsbelowBodegaHead,BodegaBay,CA.Notetheyellowlegs,andyellowatthebaseofthebill.

(Left)–Samebirdandlocation.TheRockSandpiperoftenrestsandforagesnearother“rockpipers”,suchasherewithaBlackTurnstoneontheright.ItseemedequallycomfortableroostingnearSurfbirds.Thepalefringingonthecovertssuggestsajuvenile.

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Baird’sSandpiper–Calidrisbairdii

(Right)–Notethestraightblackbillandblacklegs,aswellasthelongdarkprimaries.Palefringingontheupperpartssuggestsajuvenile.Abbott’sLagoon,Pt.ReyesNationalSeashore,CA,September.

(Left)–SoftshotofajuvenileBaird’s,withdarkstreakingonthebuffybreast.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,August.

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LeastSandpiper–Calidrisminutilla

(Right)–Athightideshorebirdsleavethemudflatsandfindasafespottoroost,suchasonarockalongthebikepathfromSausalitotoMillValley,CA,December.Smallsize,shortstraightbillandyellowlegsdistinguishitfromothersmallsandpipers.Winterplumage,brownerthantheothersmallsandpipers.TheLeastSandpiperranksasthesmallestsandpiperintheworld.

(Below)–Probablyajuvenile,neartheRichStallcupPlatform(DoranBeach).Thebilloftendroopsabit,ashere.BodegaBay,CA,August.

(Right)–Theytypicallyfeedinshallowwaterorinnearbygrassyareas.Breedingplumage,CeleryFields,Sarasota,FL,April.

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PectoralSandpiper–Calidrismelanotos

(Left)–ThePectoralSandpiperat8.5”isaboutthesizeofaDunlin.Notethedramaticstreaksonthebreast,cleanwhitebelly,andyellowlegs.SeenatAnahuacNationalWildlifeRefuge,TX,April.

(Below)–JuvenilePectoralatShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,October.SimilarBaird’sSandpiperhasdarklegsandlacksorangeatthebaseofthebill.

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SemipalmatedSandpiper–Calidrispusilla

(Left)–Partialwebbingbetweenthefront3toes,i.e.“semipalmated”.Notethestraightstubbybill.FredHowardPark,TarponSprings,FL,April.

(Right)–TheSemipalmatedSandpiperiscommonduringmigrationontheEastCoast.It’salsoaregularmigrantontheWestCoastinsmallnumbers,butdifficulttoseparatefromthesimilarWesternSandpiper.MostwillcontinuesouthtospendwinterinSouthAmerica.AshortstubbybillisthebestfieldmarkfortheSemipalmated.SandyPoint,WestHaven,CT,July.

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WesternSandpiper–Calidrismauri

(Right)–Graywinterplumage.SimilarSemipalmatedSandpiperwintersdowninSouthAmerica.LimantourBeach,PointReyesNationalSeashore,CA,December.

(Left)–AdultWesternSandpiper,withredoncrownandface.AdultsarriveinJuly,followedbyjuvenilesinAugust.Populationexceeds3million,makingitoneofthemostabundantoftheshorebirdspecies.MostbreedonthetundraofnorthwesternAlaska,andsomeinSiberia.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,July7.

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Short-billedDowitcher–Limnodromusgriseus

Short-billedDowitcherinbreedingplumage.SeparationfromLong-billedDowitchercanbedifficult.Notespottingonbreastandbillsize.BestIDfeatureisthevoice.FredHowardPark,TarponSprings,FL,April.

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Long-billedDowitcher–Limnodromusscolopaceus

(Left)–TheLong-billedDowitcherisoftenseenatinlandlocations,whiletheshort-billedprefersmarineshores.ManydowitchersappearedattheEllisCreekwatertreatmentpondsasthewaterlevelwaslowered.Petaluma,CA,December.

(Right)–ForagingLong-billedDowitchersprobingrecentlyexposedpondvegetation.EllisCreekponds,Petaluma,CA,December.

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Wilson’sSnipe–Gallinagodelicata

(Above)–Wilson’sSnipehasastronglypatternedheadandback,butusuallystayswellhidden.Thestripesonitsbackmaygiveawayitspresence.Notethelargeeyeandlongbill.LasGallinastreatmentponds,SanRafael,CA,October.

(Left)–Notethebarringontheflanksandstrongdarkcrownstripes.Locationuncertain,December.

(Above)–Thelongbillallowsthesnipetoprobedeeplyforinvertebrateprey.SnipesarecommonlyseenattheMercedNationalWildlifeRefuge,especiallynearthemainviewingplatform.Merced,CA,November.

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SpottedSandpiper–Actitismacularius

(Left)–TheSpottedSandpiperfeedsalone,foragingalongrockyshorelines.Lowdirectflightisahelpfulclueinthefield.Notetheyellowlegsandunspottedunderparts.ThisbirdfromtheTiburonshoreline,Tiburon,CA,December.

(Right)–Theboldblackspotsonthechestandbellyappearinspringforthebreedingseason.HammonassetStateBeach,Madison,CT,July.

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SolitarySandpiper–Tringasolitaria

(Right)–Theboldwhiteeyeringandpale-basedbillarehelpfulfieldmarks.Usuallyseenalone,butthiswasoneofagroupof5ataformerwatertreatmentpondsouthofLeeVining,CA,August.Thepondshavesincedriedup,astheyarenolongerusedbythelocalagency.

(Left)–Foraginginshallowwater.Greenish-yellowlegs.AnadultbirdinAugustshouldshowmorestreakingonneckandbreast,sothesebirdsmaybejuveniles.Samelocationasabovebird.SolitarySandpipersareseeninfrequentlyintheSanFranciscoBayArea,astheyspendthewinterwelltothesouthoftheU.S.

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WanderingTattler–Tringaincana

(Right)–Croppedviewofadistanttattleronarockyoutcrop.Notetheheavybarringontheneckandunderparts,signifyingbreedingplumage.Thisisoneofseveralspeciesofsandpipersthatforageonintertidalrocks,includingtheSurfbird,Turnstones,andRockSandpiper,informallycalled“rockpipers.”BodegaHead,BodegaBay,CA,April.

(Left)–SoftphotoofaWanderingTattlerintransitionplumage.Onrocksatthebaseofacliff,BodegaHarborentrancechannel,BodegaBay,CA,April.

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GreaterYellowlegs–Tringamelanoleuca

(Below)–Breedingplumage,withheavybarringbelowandallblackbill.GiacominiWetlands,Pt.ReyesStation,CA,May.

(Right)–GreaterYellowlegs,showingitslongyellowlegsandpale-basedbill.Subduedbutstillattractivebasicplumageofwinter.Notethatthebillisatabout1.5timesthelengthofthehead,andisslightlyupturned.LasGallinasPonds,SanRafael,CA,December.

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LesserYellowlegs–Tringaflavipes

(Left)–ThesmallerLesserYellowlegsontherightisdwarfedbyaGreaterYellowlegsastheyforageinadrainedpond.Notetheshort,fine,allblackbilloftheLesser,aboutthesamelengthasitshead.Despitemanysimilarities,the2speciesarenottheclosestofrelatives.EllisCreek,Petaluma,CA,December.

(Right)–Thefinebillisperfectforpluckingpreyfromthesurfaceofshallowponds,muchinthemannerofaphalarope.AlsoattheEllisCreekwatertreatmentfacility,Petaluma,CA,December.

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Willet–Tringasemipalmatus

(Right)–InwinterWesternWilletsforageonrockyshorelines,wherethegraycolormakesthemharderforapredatortospotfromabove.Billforeshortenedabithere,makingitlookabitliketheEasternWillet.TheAOSwilllikelyelevateWesternandEasternWilletstofullspeciesstatusinafuturesplit.RichardsonBay,Strawberryshoreline,MillValley,CA,January.

(Left)–Breedingplumageismarkedbydramaticspottingontheupperpartsandbarringontheflanks.HammonassetStateBeach,Madison,CT,July.

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Wilson’sPhalarope–Phalaropustricolor(Left)–FemaleWilson’sPhalaropeatCountyPark,MonoLake,CA,June.PhalaropesstageherebeforecontinuingfardowntoSouthAmericatowinteronsalinelakesintheAndes.

(Right)–Thelongneedle-likebillisanimportantfieldmarkforWilson’s.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,June.

(Left)–FemaleWilson’sPhalarope.ShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,June.

(Right)–MaleWilson’sPhalarope.SouthendofShollenbergerPark,Petaluma,CA,August.

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Red-neckedPhalarope–Phalaropuslobatus

(Left)–ThepalebuffystripesonthebackarehallmarksofthejuvenileRed-neckedPhalarope.RodeoLagoon,GoldenGateNationalWildlifeArea,CA,August.

(Below)–FemaleRed-neckedPhalarope.LateApril,entranceroadtoDoranBeach,BodegaBay,CA.Thefinebillandredneckmakeitunmistakable.

(Left)–ThemaleRed-neckedPhalaropeisapalerversionofthefemale.Themalesbroodtheeggsandtendtotheyoung.Locationuncertain.May.

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RedPhalarope–Phalaropusfulicarius

(Above)–WinterplumageRedPhalarope,foraginginashallowextensionofAbbott’sLagoon,PointReyesNationalSeashore,CA,December.

(Right)–SoftphotoofafemaleRedPhalarope.Maleislessred.Highlypelagicspecies,sonotcommonlyseenatinlandlocations.HaywardShoreline(Frank’sDump),Hayward,CA,May.

(Above)–Winterplumage,withplaingrayback.NotetherelativelyshortbillBirdherewasfeastingonkelpflies.NorthBeach,PointReyesNationalSeashore,CA,December

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References

Books:O’Brien,M.,Crossley,R.,andKarlson,K.TheShorebirdGuide,2006.HoughtonMifflinCo.Sibley,D.TheSibleyGuidetoBirds,2000.AlfredA.Knopf,NewYorkSibley,D.SibleyGuidetoBirdLife&Behavior,2001.AlfredA.Knopf,NewYorkDunn,J.,andAlderfer,J.Nat.Geo.FieldGuidetotheBirdsofNo.America,6thEd.Paulson,D.ShorebirdsofthePacificNorthwest,1993.Univ.ofWashingtonPress

Websitesusedfrequently:BirdsofNorthAmerica(BNA)–https://birdsna.org/Wikipedia–https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_PageCornellLab–AllAboutBirds,etc.–https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/browse_tax.aspxeBird–https://ebird.org/explore

Abstract:Guzzetti,B.,et.al.SecretsintheeyesofBlackOystercatchers.J.ofFieldOrnith.,79(2):215June2008.

AcknowledgementsTheauthorwasprivilegedtolearnatthesideofthelateRichStallcuponmanylocaloutings,andmorerecentlyfromDaveShufordofthePointReyesBirdObservatory.Dr.JohnKellyofAudubonCanyonRanchhasbeenaconsummateteacherandfriendfor2decades.TripleadersandfriendswhoenrichedmyappreciationandunderstandingofshorebirdsincludedBobStewart,JulesEvens,KeithHansen,TerryColborn,DavidWimpfheimer,MarkPretti,LeslieFlint,HarryFuller,RigdonCurrie,JohnandCarolynLongstreth,RichCimino,DanSinger,JimWhite,BobBattagin,KateCarolan,andGordonBennett.Weoweadebttothemandsomanyothergoodhumanswhounselfishlygivetheirtimeandenergytoenrichourlivesandpreserveournaturalareas.Andtothemanybirderswithwhomwesharedouroutings,thewarmest“thankyou”foryourcompanionshipandfriendship–youknowwhoyouare.ThedrafteditionwasfirsteditedbymywifePattiBlumin,andsubsequentlybyTonyGilbert,RonMalloryandothers.SpecialthankstoJimStevenson,ExecutiveDirectoroftheGalvestonOrnithologicalSociety,whosecarefulreviewandcommentscontributedgreatly.

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RuddyTurnstone–Ft.DeSotoPark,St.Petersburg,Florida,April

Prepared by MagCloud for Len Blumin. Get more at blubird.magcloud.com.