Friday, August 14

Shore Birds at Bear Butte Lake

I did go to Bear Butte Lake on Wed. to look for shore birds. The bobolinks were an added bonus. Besides white pelicans, cormorants, and killdeer, I saw some of those "sandpiper-like" hard-to-ID waders along the E shore (past the sign w/ a line slashed through a car shape on it, oopsie...)

My best guess is that these are Wilson's phalaropes, possibly going into their winter plumage, or females...?



There were several lesser yellowlegs wading around. I managed to creep closer for better pics w/o causing much disturbance.



Trying to ID a "sand-piper-like" shore bird is quite the cheap thrill. Fortunately, one can narrow it down by leg color, bill length, and the regions the bird is found in. Having done so, I believe this is a willit.
Update: My 2nd ID choice for this bird was to say it's a short-billed dowitcher. With reader Hap's input, and closer examination, this would seem to be the dowitcher, not a willit.

6 comments:

  1. Hi Jann, I agree, those look like Wilson's
    Phalaropes to me too, possibly immatures or
    fall plumaged; liked the Lesser Yellowlegs,
    but not sure about that Willet. With Willet,
    you should notice the large black and white
    marking on the wings. I believe you have a
    dowitcher here, probably a Short-billed, but
    I am uncomfortable id'ing them without hearing
    them call. Terrific photography!
    Hap in New Hope (MN)

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  2. Hap, I wondered about the 'willit' being the short-billed (yea right the thing's a mile long) dowitcher! You're probably right. I read about those black/white markings, I thought maybe they were on the underside but I guess not. Thanks for your input.

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  3. Your photos are so nice Jann...and every time your page opens I'm struck by the beauty of the stone bridge...just like I was with the painted pony!

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  4. Jann, I was just wondering are you self taught, or have you took any type photography lessons...

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  5. Great job again, Jann. Keep the pictures coming.

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  6. Like the waders J'ellen. They are very difficult to ID at this time of year, what with all the Juv. plumages and moulting adult birds.

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