Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: BetCrooks on August 06, 2014, 10:22:18 PM

Title: Another Shorebird
Post by: BetCrooks on August 06, 2014, 10:22:18 PM

Another one for you experienced shore bird watchers.
This one was in a swamp near Sharbot Lake (Eastern Ontario). Among other things, it managed to capture and beat a very small frog to death before swallowing it whole in three major gulps and looking very satisfied with the sheer volume of its find.

[attachment=1:347c9sft]SwampBirdPort.jpg[/attachment:347c9sft]

[attachment=0:347c9sft]SwampBirdStarboard.jpg[/attachment:347c9sft]

Title: Re: Another Shorebird
Post by: BetCrooks on August 06, 2014, 10:30:03 PM

My guess is Spotted, but it won't surprise me if I'm wrong again!

Title: Re: Another Shorebird
Post by: Rotarran on August 06, 2014, 10:54:18 PM

Hmm...I'm leaning towards Solitary Sandpiper on this one.  But yeah shorebirds are challenging, need constant practice to stay on top of things.

Edit: and the reason I think Solitary is because of the kind of blanket dark brown back with small white dots sprinkled on top.  And also the noticeable white eye-ring.

Title: Re: Another Shorebird
Post by: thouc on August 06, 2014, 11:58:18 PM

I second Solitary Sandpiper.

Title: Re: Another Shorebird
Post by: BetCrooks on August 07, 2014, 08:04:49 AM

Thanks to you both!

I did wonder about whether it was a winter Spotted or not: There was a Spotted in summer plumage on some rocks lining the lake edge a few hundred metres away. That Spotted was teetering and bobbing like mad. This second piper on the mudflat was not teetering or bobbing at all. The shape seemed slightly different too. Now I'll have a better idea what to look for the next one I meet.

Thanks again.