Shorebirds

Spotted Sandpiper protecting its nest

I spend a lot of time walking along rivers, streams and ponds but this is the first year I have really noticed the plain brown birds along the edges of the waterways. In the spring I watched a group of little birds fly up as I walked unknowingly toward them. I was looking for swallows in the air, but looking down, I was surprised at the number of birds feeding in the mud. Kildeer (or Killdeer) are commonly seen and bring noisy attention to themselves.

Solitary Sandpiper (possibly)

I figured all shorebirds were big and easy to see. But the ones around here are small and easy to miss as they blend into their surroundings so well.

Least Sandpiper (possibly)

During spring migration I saw a few species on their way to their northern nesting grounds. And are they ever confusing to identify! Are the legs yellow or brown or grey? What about the beak, the spots, the peeping sound?

Semi-palmated Sandpiper (possibly)

Spotted Sandpipers nest in this area and I see them often enough that I recognize them easily now. Scanning partially submerged logs or looking on muddy flats with binoculars usually brings them into view.

Spotted Sandpiper (for sure!)

This week I was walking along a meadow and saw a Spotted Sandpiper sitting high atop a dead Mullein flower stalk. It was making quite a racket. Just when I was getting used to looking down for these birds, there was one perched high above the meadow. Apparently they are one of a very few species of birds where the males care for the young as females have more than one mate.

This male was on the look out as I approached the nest which was at least 250 m from the river's edge . While not as dramatic as a Kildeer, it certainly made its presence known.

I will have to study the bird guides and be more prepared for these plain birds as they move south this fall.