Subject: [Tweeters] Temminck's Stint query
Date: Nov 16 18:54:50 2005
From: Ruth and/or Patrick Sullivan - godwit at worldnet.att.net


Hello all birders,

We learned this evening from a birding friend that the Temminck's Stint was NOT seen today at Ocean Shores despite searching made from about 25 birders and it seems the bird has probably moved on. As many birders know the bird was very faithful to the southwest pond of the Ocean Shores Sewage Treatment Plant and we were so surprised at how long the bird stayed,but more impressively how cooperative the bird was for most everyone! The bird couldn't have shown up at a better place,especially for viewing and photos. We have never seen such a dependable rarity be so cooperative,which was the case with this bird and we always wondered if the bird would go away from the pond that it would be difficult to positively ID. Our query bring up the issue of being able to ID the bird at a safe distance,which as recently occurred at the nearby Oyhut Wildlife Area. Essentially the Temminck's Stint could be very difficult to safely identify if it is there and not seen close and birders even had difficulty identifying the bird at the pond and that was at close range! The bird is pale and proportionately plump since it has been feeding alot,but it can also appear long-winged,but it is the tail that is longer than the wings tips. The bird would a[appear the size of a Least Sandpiper and you would have to see more than a few field marks to safely ID the bird and not hastily think it really is the Temminck's Stint. Another observation we noted on the Temminck's Stint was it's regular aggressive nature towards Least Sandpipers,which many observers would attest to. Essentially, if you saw 2 birds chasing in the pond it would always involve the Temminck's Stint and at least one Least Sandpiper. We don't know exactly why the bird chased the Least Sandpipers,but felt it had something to do with feeding territory and it only chased the Least Sandpipers not Dunlins. It was great to see the bird chasing because you could really see the pure white outer tail feathers and dark center tail whereas the Least Sandpipers had only a minimal white areas. We would caution all sightings after the evening of the 14th unless there are reliable photos of the bird and we bring this to no harsh feelings to those that believe they saw it. We just believe the bird would be very difficult to distinguish from many Least Sandpipers that are in the area and having less than satisfying looks at the bird would not be so good! It just seems hard to believe that the bird could somehow wander away from the sewage pond when the feeding was so good there even if water levels were raised. There were a few times during the bird's 6 day visit that it flew off to unknown locations,but it always returned within 5-15 minutes. We would personally not be comfortable calling the Temminck's Stint in the field if it was away from the sewage pond,especially if we didn't have a photo to back it up.To end we just feel if the bird left the pond we feel it would take off for good! Birders may still continue to search for the Temminck's Stint,if they so desire!


Sincerely,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit at owrldnet.att.net