RE: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Steve Walter]

Okay, Andrew. I did it – put up some pictures on my web site – on the recent 
work page. The top two pictures are the bird in question. Not too much 
narrative there, as that has been done in the posts from Angus and I. Below 
that I’ve shown a series of Dunlin pictures for comparison. Most are juveniles 
in various states of molt. In the past, I may have sounded silly to most folks 
when expressing excitement over early arriving Dunlins at Jamaica Bay – but the 
result is I can do something like this. I also included a couple of Curlew 
Sandpipers, although only in obvious alternate plumage. That’s all I have and I 
really would have loved to have added a different plumage to my collection. But 
that was not to be. Still, the alternate plumage images do convey structure.

 

On the way to the recent work page, you’ll find a picture of today’s 
Yellow-headed Blackbird. I’m glad I had that bird to chase. I was going to go 
for the Bickering at Sands Point. Well, it sounds like it could be a bird. 
Sanderling, Brambling, Bickering…

 

Steve Walter  

 

http://stevewalternature.com/

 

 

 

From: Andrew Baksh [mailto:birdingd...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2017 10:43 PM
To: Steve Walter <swalte...@verizon.net>
Cc: nysbird...@list.cornell.edu; Nyc ebirds <ebirds...@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

 

It would be great if any photos of this bird be made available for public 
viewing.  Rump or no rump. Thanks in advance.



"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass





風　Swift as the wind

林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain

 <http://refspace.com/quotes/Sun_Tzu> Sun Tzu   
<http://refspace.com/quotes/The_Art_of_War> The Art of War

 

(\__/)
(= '.'=)

(") _ (") 

Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device! 

 

Andrew Baksh

www.birdingdude.blogspot.com <http://www.birdingdude.blogspot.com> 


On Sep 23, 2017, at 6:00 PM, Steve Walter <swalte...@verizon.net 
<mailto:swalte...@verizon.net> > wrote:

I hate to do this – and I saw the bird in question – but it looks like a Dunlin 
to me. While I wait to see other people’s photographs showing a white rump, 
I’ve gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are perfectly in line 
with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late September. Most importantly, 
the breast is streaked with black. I don’t know of any plumage of Curlew 
Sandpiper that would have that. The upperparts are rather typical of a 
juvenile’s molt. Gray feathers have replaced most of the juvenile feathers on 
the back. The coverts and tertials are still juvenile, with some of the latter 
still showing some rufous edging. There is one rufous feather in the scapulars; 
often there will be a couple more. The bill, while on the longer extreme of 
Dunlin bill length, doesn’t appear to be out of range. I could find a few 
others in my photo collection of the same length and curvature. The bird’s 
overall structure, including thick neck and large head, also favor Dunlin.

 

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> Welcome and Basics 

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> Rules and Information 

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> 
Subscribe, Configuration and Leave

Archives:

The Mail Archive 
<http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> 

 <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> Surfbirds

 <http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01> ABA

Please submit your observations to  <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> eBird!

--


--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

RE: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Steve Walter]

Okay, Andrew. I did it – put up some pictures on my web site – on the recent 
work page. The top two pictures are the bird in question. Not too much 
narrative there, as that has been done in the posts from Angus and I. Below 
that I’ve shown a series of Dunlin pictures for comparison. Most are juveniles 
in various states of molt. In the past, I may have sounded silly to most folks 
when expressing excitement over early arriving Dunlins at Jamaica Bay – but the 
result is I can do something like this. I also included a couple of Curlew 
Sandpipers, although only in obvious alternate plumage. That’s all I have and I 
really would have loved to have added a different plumage to my collection. But 
that was not to be. Still, the alternate plumage images do convey structure.

 

On the way to the recent work page, you’ll find a picture of today’s 
Yellow-headed Blackbird. I’m glad I had that bird to chase. I was going to go 
for the Bickering at Sands Point. Well, it sounds like it could be a bird. 
Sanderling, Brambling, Bickering…

 

Steve Walter  

 

http://stevewalternature.com/

 

 

 

From: Andrew Baksh [mailto:birdingd...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2017 10:43 PM
To: Steve Walter 
Cc: nysbird...@list.cornell.edu; Nyc ebirds 
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

 

It would be great if any photos of this bird be made available for public 
viewing.  Rump or no rump. Thanks in advance.



"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass





風　Swift as the wind

林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain

 <http://refspace.com/quotes/Sun_Tzu> Sun Tzu   
<http://refspace.com/quotes/The_Art_of_War> The Art of War

 

(\__/)
(= '.'=)

(") _ (") 

Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device! 

 

Andrew Baksh

www.birdingdude.blogspot.com <http://www.birdingdude.blogspot.com> 


On Sep 23, 2017, at 6:00 PM, Steve Walter mailto:swalte...@verizon.net> > wrote:

I hate to do this – and I saw the bird in question – but it looks like a Dunlin 
to me. While I wait to see other people’s photographs showing a white rump, 
I’ve gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are perfectly in line 
with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late September. Most importantly, 
the breast is streaked with black. I don’t know of any plumage of Curlew 
Sandpiper that would have that. The upperparts are rather typical of a 
juvenile’s molt. Gray feathers have replaced most of the juvenile feathers on 
the back. The coverts and tertials are still juvenile, with some of the latter 
still showing some rufous edging. There is one rufous feather in the scapulars; 
often there will be a couple more. The bill, while on the longer extreme of 
Dunlin bill length, doesn’t appear to be out of range. I could find a few 
others in my photo collection of the same length and curvature. The bird’s 
overall structure, including thick neck and large head, also favor Dunlin.

 

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> Welcome and Basics 

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> Rules and Information 

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> 
Subscribe, Configuration and Leave

Archives:

The Mail Archive 
<http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> 

 <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> Surfbirds

 <http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01> ABA

Please submit your observations to  <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> eBird!

--


--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2 - really?

[Angus Wilson]

Looking at the photos that are included with Stacy Meyerheinrich's eBird
checklist (link below) I would suggest the observers reconsider the ID. IMO
this bird is very clearly a Dunlin, as proposed in a follow up posting by
Steve Walter.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39350964

Dunlins with very long and slightly decurved bills are typical of the North
American subspecies, particularly *C. a. hudsonia* ('Hudsonian Dunlin'),
which breeds in the central Canadian arctic and is the predominant migrant
through coastal NYS. Individuals are frequently mistaken for Curlew
Sandpiper, in large part because bill length is especially pronounced in
females.

When identifying shorebirds it's important to establish the age of the bird
as this influences feather details, which can be critical. This bird looks
to be transitioning into first basic plumage (i.e., first fall). Few of the
upper part feathers (scapulars, wing coverts) have pale edging as would be
expected for juvenile plumage; these edges have already abraded. The
centers of the grayer feathers have a short dark central vein, this dark
line is longer and often more prominent in Curlew Sands.

Note also the very short supercilium (a characteristic feature of Hudsonian
dunlin) which is limited to a pale arc above they eye. In Curlew Sandpiper
this usually extends further forward and behind relative to the eye.

As for the absence of dark central upper tail coverts ('white rump'), I've
always found this is exceptionally difficult to assess with accuracy in the
field. It's a negative mark, meaning you are hoping to see something that's
not there. The central line could be hidden by the way the feathers are
folded over each other. Although touted as a key mark in the field guides,
Curlew Sandpipers often have dark spots and darker feathers peaking through
so this is a very problematic field mark. Best ignored in favor of feather
details (as discussed above) and structure such as leg length.

Returning to the Jones Beach bird, the photos aren't ideal to assess
uppertail coverts. There are hints of dark but I'm not sure exactly which
feathers are involved. Certainly the images don't prove this point.

You can read more about this reoccurring ID challenge in a feature I posted
on OceanWanderers.com, many years, and many miles, ago.

http://www.oceanwanderers.com/BSmallSHorebird.html

Anyhow, sorry to  throw water on the sighting. Regardless its always
instructive to take a close, hard look at interesting birds and we should
thank Stacy for getting the photos on line so quickly.

Angus Wilson
NYC/Springs, NY

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2 - really?

[Angus Wilson]

Looking at the photos that are included with Stacy Meyerheinrich's eBird
checklist (link below) I would suggest the observers reconsider the ID. IMO
this bird is very clearly a Dunlin, as proposed in a follow up posting by
Steve Walter.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39350964

Dunlins with very long and slightly decurved bills are typical of the North
American subspecies, particularly *C. a. hudsonia* ('Hudsonian Dunlin'),
which breeds in the central Canadian arctic and is the predominant migrant
through coastal NYS. Individuals are frequently mistaken for Curlew
Sandpiper, in large part because bill length is especially pronounced in
females.

When identifying shorebirds it's important to establish the age of the bird
as this influences feather details, which can be critical. This bird looks
to be transitioning into first basic plumage (i.e., first fall). Few of the
upper part feathers (scapulars, wing coverts) have pale edging as would be
expected for juvenile plumage; these edges have already abraded. The
centers of the grayer feathers have a short dark central vein, this dark
line is longer and often more prominent in Curlew Sands.

Note also the very short supercilium (a characteristic feature of Hudsonian
dunlin) which is limited to a pale arc above they eye. In Curlew Sandpiper
this usually extends further forward and behind relative to the eye.

As for the absence of dark central upper tail coverts ('white rump'), I've
always found this is exceptionally difficult to assess with accuracy in the
field. It's a negative mark, meaning you are hoping to see something that's
not there. The central line could be hidden by the way the feathers are
folded over each other. Although touted as a key mark in the field guides,
Curlew Sandpipers often have dark spots and darker feathers peaking through
so this is a very problematic field mark. Best ignored in favor of feather
details (as discussed above) and structure such as leg length.

Returning to the Jones Beach bird, the photos aren't ideal to assess
uppertail coverts. There are hints of dark but I'm not sure exactly which
feathers are involved. Certainly the images don't prove this point.

You can read more about this reoccurring ID challenge in a feature I posted
on OceanWanderers.com, many years, and many miles, ago.

http://www.oceanwanderers.com/BSmallSHorebird.html

Anyhow, sorry to  throw water on the sighting. Regardless its always
instructive to take a close, hard look at interesting birds and we should
thank Stacy for getting the photos on line so quickly.

Angus Wilson
NYC/Springs, NY

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Tyler Goldstein]

on e-bird, posted by Mr. Arie Gilbert.

Tyler Goldstein
Jericho, NY

On Saturday, September 23, 2017, Andrew Baksh  wrote:

> It would be great if any photos of this bird be made available for public
> viewing.  Rump or no rump. Thanks in advance.
>
> 
> "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the
> ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own
> abhorrence." ~ Frederick Douglass
>
> 風 Swift as the wind
> 林 Quiet as the forest
> 火 Conquer like the fire
> 山 Steady as the mountain
> Sun Tzu   *The Art of War*
> 
>
> (\__/)
> (= '.'=)
>
> (") _ (")
>
> Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!
>
>
> Andrew Baksh
> www.birdingdude.blogspot.com
>
> On Sep 23, 2017, at 6:00 PM, Steve Walter  > wrote:
>
> I hate to do this – and I saw the bird in question – but it looks like a
> Dunlin to me. While I wait to see other people’s photographs showing a
> white rump, I’ve gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are
> perfectly in line with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late
> September. Most importantly, the breast is streaked with black. I don’t
> know of any plumage of Curlew Sandpiper that would have that. The
> upperparts are rather typical of a juvenile’s molt. Gray feathers have
> replaced most of the juvenile feathers on the back. The coverts and
> tertials are still juvenile, with some of the latter still showing some
> rufous edging. There is one rufous feather in the scapulars; often there
> will be a couple more. The bill, while on the longer extreme of Dunlin bill
> length, doesn’t appear to be out of range. I could find a few others in my
> photo collection of the same length and curvature. The bird’s overall
> structure, including thick neck and large head, also favor Dunlin.
>
>
>
>
>
> Steve Walter
>
> Bayside, NY
> --
> *NYSbirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> 
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> 
> Surfbirds 
> ABA 
> *Please submit your observations to **eBird*
> *!*
> --
>
> --
> *NYSbirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> 
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> 
> Surfbirds 
> ABA 
> *Please submit your observations to **eBird*
> *!*
> --
>

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Tyler Goldstein]

on e-bird, posted by Mr. Arie Gilbert.

Tyler Goldstein
Jericho, NY

On Saturday, September 23, 2017, Andrew Baksh  wrote:

> It would be great if any photos of this bird be made available for public
> viewing.  Rump or no rump. Thanks in advance.
>
> 
> "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the
> ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own
> abhorrence." ~ Frederick Douglass
>
> 風 Swift as the wind
> 林 Quiet as the forest
> 火 Conquer like the fire
> 山 Steady as the mountain
> Sun Tzu   *The Art of War*
> 
>
> (\__/)
> (= '.'=)
>
> (") _ (")
>
> Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!
>
>
> Andrew Baksh
> www.birdingdude.blogspot.com
>
> On Sep 23, 2017, at 6:00 PM, Steve Walter  > wrote:
>
> I hate to do this – and I saw the bird in question – but it looks like a
> Dunlin to me. While I wait to see other people’s photographs showing a
> white rump, I’ve gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are
> perfectly in line with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late
> September. Most importantly, the breast is streaked with black. I don’t
> know of any plumage of Curlew Sandpiper that would have that. The
> upperparts are rather typical of a juvenile’s molt. Gray feathers have
> replaced most of the juvenile feathers on the back. The coverts and
> tertials are still juvenile, with some of the latter still showing some
> rufous edging. There is one rufous feather in the scapulars; often there
> will be a couple more. The bill, while on the longer extreme of Dunlin bill
> length, doesn’t appear to be out of range. I could find a few others in my
> photo collection of the same length and curvature. The bird’s overall
> structure, including thick neck and large head, also favor Dunlin.
>
>
>
>
>
> Steve Walter
>
> Bayside, NY
> --
> *NYSbirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> 
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> 
> Surfbirds 
> ABA 
> *Please submit your observations to **eBird*
> *!*
> --
>
> --
> *NYSbirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> 
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> 
> Surfbirds 
> ABA 
> *Please submit your observations to **eBird*
> *!*
> --
>

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Andrew Baksh]

It would be great if any photos of this bird be made available for public 
viewing.  Rump or no rump. Thanks in advance.


"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass

風　Swift as the wind
林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain
Sun Tzu  The Art of War

> (\__/)
> (= '.'=)
> (") _ (") 
> Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device! 

Andrew Baksh
www.birdingdude.blogspot.com

> On Sep 23, 2017, at 6:00 PM, Steve Walter  wrote:
> 
> I hate to do this – and I saw the bird in question – but it looks like a 
> Dunlin to me. While I wait to see other people’s photographs showing a white 
> rump, I’ve gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are perfectly in 
> line with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late September. Most 
> importantly, the breast is streaked with black. I don’t know of any plumage 
> of Curlew Sandpiper that would have that. The upperparts are rather typical 
> of a juvenile’s molt. Gray feathers have replaced most of the juvenile 
> feathers on the back. The coverts and tertials are still juvenile, with some 
> of the latter still showing some rufous edging. There is one rufous feather 
> in the scapulars; often there will be a couple more. The bill, while on the 
> longer extreme of Dunlin bill length, doesn’t appear to be out of range. I 
> could find a few others in my photo collection of the same length and 
> curvature. The bird’s overall structure, including thick neck and large head, 
> also favor Dunlin.
>  
>  
> Steve Walter
> Bayside, NY
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Welcome and Basics
> Rules and Information
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive
> Surfbirds
> ABA
> Please submit your observations to eBird!
> --

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Andrew Baksh]

It would be great if any photos of this bird be made available for public 
viewing.  Rump or no rump. Thanks in advance.


"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass

風　Swift as the wind
林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain
Sun Tzu  The Art of War

> (\__/)
> (= '.'=)
> (") _ (") 
> Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device! 

Andrew Baksh
www.birdingdude.blogspot.com

> On Sep 23, 2017, at 6:00 PM, Steve Walter  wrote:
> 
> I hate to do this – and I saw the bird in question – but it looks like a 
> Dunlin to me. While I wait to see other people’s photographs showing a white 
> rump, I’ve gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are perfectly in 
> line with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late September. Most 
> importantly, the breast is streaked with black. I don’t know of any plumage 
> of Curlew Sandpiper that would have that. The upperparts are rather typical 
> of a juvenile’s molt. Gray feathers have replaced most of the juvenile 
> feathers on the back. The coverts and tertials are still juvenile, with some 
> of the latter still showing some rufous edging. There is one rufous feather 
> in the scapulars; often there will be a couple more. The bill, while on the 
> longer extreme of Dunlin bill length, doesn’t appear to be out of range. I 
> could find a few others in my photo collection of the same length and 
> curvature. The bird’s overall structure, including thick neck and large head, 
> also favor Dunlin.
>  
>  
> Steve Walter
> Bayside, NY
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Welcome and Basics
> Rules and Information
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive
> Surfbirds
> ABA
> Please submit your observations to eBird!
> --

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re:[nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Steve Walter]

I hate to do this - and I saw the bird in question - but it looks like a
Dunlin to me. While I wait to see other people's photographs showing a white
rump, I've gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are perfectly in
line with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late September. Most
importantly, the breast is streaked with black. I don't know of any plumage
of Curlew Sandpiper that would have that. The upperparts are rather typical
of a juvenile's molt. Gray feathers have replaced most of the juvenile
feathers on the back. The coverts and tertials are still juvenile, with some
of the latter still showing some rufous edging. There is one rufous feather
in the scapulars; often there will be a couple more. The bill, while on the
longer extreme of Dunlin bill length, doesn't appear to be out of range. I
could find a few others in my photo collection of the same length and
curvature. The bird's overall structure, including thick neck and large
head, also favor Dunlin.

 

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY


--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re:[nysbirds-l] Curlew Sandpiper Jones Beach we2

[Steve Walter]

I hate to do this - and I saw the bird in question - but it looks like a
Dunlin to me. While I wait to see other people's photographs showing a white
rump, I've gone over my pictures. All other characteristics are perfectly in
line with what a juvenile Dunlin might exhibit in late September. Most
importantly, the breast is streaked with black. I don't know of any plumage
of Curlew Sandpiper that would have that. The upperparts are rather typical
of a juvenile's molt. Gray feathers have replaced most of the juvenile
feathers on the back. The coverts and tertials are still juvenile, with some
of the latter still showing some rufous edging. There is one rufous feather
in the scapulars; often there will be a couple more. The bill, while on the
longer extreme of Dunlin bill length, doesn't appear to be out of range. I
could find a few others in my photo collection of the same length and
curvature. The bird's overall structure, including thick neck and large
head, also favor Dunlin.

 

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY


--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--