Subject: [Tweeters] Semipalmated Sandpipers in spring
Date: May 3 09:29:50 2011
From: Wayne Weber - contopus at telus.net


Brad and Tweeters.



Semipalmated Sandpipers are probably not quite as rare in spring as you
suggest. Here around Vancouver, BC, we record a few without fail every
spring, although we list them as "rare" in spring on our checklist, as
opposed to "fairly common" in fall. Most of the sightings are from the Iona
Island sewage ponds, where birders are able to get much closer views of
shorebirds than in most other locations. We certainly do not see any need
for photos or field descriptions.



Semipalmated Sandpipers are easy to confuse with Western Sandpipers in the
fall, but are much easier to identify in the spring, when they lack the
rusty tones that Western Sandpipers nearly always have.



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net







From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Brad
Waggoner
Sent: May-02-11 2:10 PM
To: tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Major Push of Yellow-rumped Warblers at Point no Point



Hi All,






< snip >



On another note, I would like to echo Dennis's comments about spring
Semipalmated Sandpipers (SESA), specifically those reported not mistakenly
referring to Semipalmated Plovers. As a compiler of records (along with Ryan
Merrill), I am looking for an iron-clad description or perhaps even a
photograph for a spring SESA to make it as a spring record. Yes, we do get
SESA's as an uncommon migrant in the fall, mostly in the Puget Trough (and
last fall seemed to be a good one for them), but they are a rare bird in
spring. We probably only get on average 2 legitimate sightings of SESA's
here on the westside each spring. I know that often times short-billed male
Western Sandpipers showing very little rufous color have sent me down a path
of thinking SESA. But lacking blunt tip to bill and showing heavier breast
and flank streaking have kept these "SESA wantabees" as just Western
Sandpipers.


Cheers and good birding,

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com