Information on the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper being seen in Illinois, with comment on other midwestern sightings. Forward by Jim Williams, Wayzata
---------- From: Bob Domagalski <[email protected]> Date: Sun, 05 Oct 2003 14:26:49 -0500 To: "Wisconsin Birding Network" <[email protected]> Subject: [wisb] On The Trail of the Sharp-tailed Upon waking this morning (Sunday, Oct. 5th) and being encouraged by Mark Korducki's post of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper still being near Elgin yesterday afternoon, I decided this shorebird was too rare and too close to let is simply go away without an attempt on my part to see it. Arriving at the Blackhawk Forest Preserve (following Greg Seegert's directions), I was quickly guided by numerous birders (including Eric Howe) to the foot bridge over the Fox River from where the Sharp-tailed could be seen below and near the bridge. The lighting was excellent and there were a number of scopes already focused on the bird. The difficult part was selecting the scope through which I would peer at this lifer. The view was so detailed that, if one were so indiscreet (which I was) as to peek at undertails, one could easily discern the streaking of the Sharp-tailed as opposed to the white undertail coverts of the Pecs. This Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is so rare that there are only 18 valid records for the midcontinent (though there are likely some recent records that I have not yet received). Previous to the present sandpiper, Illinois has had 4 records for the Sharp-tailed. This is matched by 4 in Iowa. Wisconsin has yet to have a record pass the records committee. The current Sharp-tailed has been in place since Sept. 27th. Relatively long stays are not unusual according to the paste of midcontinent records shown below. Except for a May 15, 1994 record from Fremont County, Iowa, all of the midcontinent valid records for the Sharp-tailed are from the fall and very early winter. -- Bob Domagalski, Menomonee Falls 53. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Illinois(4), Indiana(1), Iowa(4), Nebraska(2), North Dakota(1), Ohio(2), Ontario(3), Tennessee(1) 1. Sept. 28-29, 1974 - Mason, Illinois 2. Oct. 3, 1974 =96 Johnson, Iowa 3. Nov. 19 to Dec. 5, 1975 =96 Wentworth, Ontario 4. Oct. 6-23, 1984 =96 Cuyahoga, Ohio 5. Oct. 6, 1985 =96 Cook, Illinois 6. Oct. 12, 1986 =96 Butler, Nebraska 7. Aug. 20, 1988 - Essex, Ontario 8. Sept. 23 to Oct. 7, 1988 =96 Gibson, Indiana 9. Sept. 30, 1988 =96 Scott, Iowa 10. Dec. 1-2, 1990 - Lucas, Ohio 11. Sept. 25-26, 1990 =96 Fulton, Illinois 12. Oct. 14, 1990 =96 Johnson, Iowa 13. Sept. 12-18, 1992 =96 Shelby, Tennessee 14. May 15, 1994 =96 Fremont, Iowa 15. Sept. 8, 1994 =96 Sheridan, Nebraska 16. Sept. 28, 1997 - Cass, North Dakota 17. Oct. 17, 1999 - Thunder Bay, Ontario 18. Sept. 23 to Oct. 1, 2000 - Mason, Illinois ############################## This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list <[email protected]>. To UNSUBSCRIBE, E-mail to <[email protected]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[email protected]> Send administrative QUERIES, E-mail to <[email protected]>
