Subject: ID help, continued
Date: Apr 7 07:08:03 2002
From: Birch - birchb at methow.com


Most of the ID suggestions to my query (copied below) were Long-billed
Curlew, but how
does this explain the two-tone underwings, since
none of my three field guides mention this field mark for this bird, and it
was such a prominent aspect of the bird I saw?? The underwing contrast was
not black and white, but more of a 'muddy dark' and a grayish light, similar
to what the Natl. Geographic guide, pg 186, shows for the underwing of an
Hudsonsian Godwit (although I'm not suggesting that's what it was.) Would
a whimbrel be a plausible guess? Thanks again for all
the help.

Birch Berman


My original query--

Can anyone give me the most likely guess for the following sighting? I live
>in the upper Methow Valley, above the Chewuch River. Yesterday a large
>shorebird flew overhead on two occasions. It was at least the size of a
>willet, although I think that both its body and bill size were larger than
a
>willet's. Since I did not have binoculars with me, the only field mark I
>have to go on is that its wings, viewed from underneath, were distinctly
>two-tone--half dark, half light. It made a loud, distinct and continuous
>call, which was what drew my attention to it each time. It moved its wings
>in what seemed to me a peculiar, circular swimming motion. Based on these
>clues and range, what would be the best guess for this bird? Thanks very
>much.