Dennis Paulson writes:
> Common Sandpiper *did* breed in Kenya and Uganda (one record each) quite
> early in the century but does so no more (according to a 1980 Kenya
> check-list). That book states "no further evidence in support of these
> early observations has come to light anywhere in Africa, despite the amount
> of ornithological investigation in recent decades." The comprehensive
> Birds of Africa, Vol. 2 (1986), paraphrases the same statement. I wouldn't
> be surprised if these records, one of them from 1911, were the source of
> all the "common wisdom" that COSA breeds in S. Africa.
> ...
> There is (only circumstantial) evidence for Phainopeplas breeding in
> southern Arizona, then migrating to the coast of California and breeding
> again during the same year. The optimal seasons for Phainopepla breeding
> at these two *not-very-distant* areas are at quite different times, so a
> bird being able to take advantage of this would have a unique opportunity.
> If this in fact does happen with Phainopeplas, it's the only example of
> such a phenomenon known to me.

Some people consider highly likely that some Common Quails _Coturnix
coturnix_ breed once in Spain (in late March/early April) and once again
in northern France or in the UK (in June).
I don't know if there is any evidence for that, or if it is yet another
"common wisdom" being perpetuated without any questioning.



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