I went out yesterday looking for bobwhite and western sandpiper hybrids. Thought if I found one, I could submit documentation to the Wisconsin Records Committee, get my record approved and become infamous. Instead I stumbled upon what I believe to be a reeve (but cannot rule out juvenile ruff).
The bird in question does not match ANY of the pictures or drawings I have looked at in the field guides. Instead, it had a combination of various traits from a half dozen different books. Brief description of the bird: slightly larger than PESA fat "dumpy" looking like pec. or red knot, but longer legs ****bright orange legs**** (like leg color of breeding mallard) white belly white chest whith faint rust color along upper sides of chest into neck light tan/rufous head with darker tan crown white eye-ring short to medium length bill that was SLIGHTLY decurved at tip bill generally dark with SLIGHTLY lighter color near base incredible, clean, beautiful scalloped pattern on back and scapulars, extending unto rump (I cannot imagine the pattern could be so crisp on an adult bird) All the texts I consulted indicate juvenile ruffs/reeves do not have the orange leg color. Which makes it an adult. But the feather pattern stongly suggest (to me) a juvenile. Oh ya, I suppose I should tell where it was:-) notice "was" not "is." Unfortunately, after I had watched the bird for about 5 minutes, it took off. Ya know how shorebirds typically get up in a bunch, fly around and then wonder why they are flying around and land where or near their origin? This bird was with about 25 other shorebirds. It took off, all by itself, did not circle, called once when it became airborne and disappeared into the sun on the western horizon. It gave no indication of returning to the wetland where I was. However, you are welcome to look for yourself. It is in south eastern Kandiyohi county. From Lake Lillian (the town) go N. then NW on county rd #8. Turn west on 165th ave. (also cty rd. 16). Go about 3? miles and look for a wetland on the south side of the road. There is a large wooden sign saying something like, "Johnson Family Farm Prairie Restoration Project". The words St. Olaf are there somewhere too, but I don't remember the exact order or text. Randy Frederickson Willmar p.s. no bobwhites are permitted in Kandiyohi county without proof of purchase, two boxtops, and papers of authenticity which must be carried on the bird at all times.
