Hi Everyone,
Last Sunday, November 13th, I found and photographed a peep at the Blenheim
Sewage Lagoons that I identified as a semipalmated sandpiper. I got very
decent photos that day (they are on my eBird report) and on the report I
mentioned that I couldn't turn it into a western sandpiper. To make a LONG
story short, after a few others seeing this bird and a couple of comments
from others after viewing the photos, we are thinking this may be a first
winter western sandpiper after all.
I know that I've never seen a WESA this late in the year and I'm not sure
I've EVER seen a bird in first winter plumage. Besides, it's probably been
over 10 years since I've seen a western sandpiper in any plumage. I would
not be embarrassed and would be just fine with changing my identification
from SESA to WESA!
I'm posting this message for 2 reasons. First, the bird is still at the
lagoons; Jim Burk saw it today. At this time of year, it's a rare,
reportable bird no matter which species it is. Secondly, I'd like to hear
opinions from some of the shorebird experts (I am NOT one of them) after
viewing the photos. Photos can be found on eBird for *Chatham-Kent from
Nov. 13* (mine) and *Nov. 18 (Allen Woodliffe)*. Please email me privately
if you would like to offer your opinion on the proper identification and I
will post something more definite tomorrow. Thanks for your attention and
your assistance.
Steve
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