Eastern Shore and Unknown shorebird
Les Eastman (les_eastman@netfox.net)
Tue, 29 Dec 1998 03:54:07 -0500
Subject: Eastern Shore and Unknown shorebird
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 23:35:23 EST
From: MATT556422@aol.com
To: Les_Eastman@netfox.net
Les, this is Matt Hafner, could you forward this message to the Osprey?
Joe Chronowski, Katie Prothero, and I took a coastal trip on Monday
December
28. Here is list of notable species.
Prime Hook - Peregrine Falcon
Cape Henlopen - Black, Surf Scoters, Black-bellied Plover, Tree Swallows
Indian River Inlet - Oldsquaw, Clapper Rail, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary
Sandpiper, and Unknown shorebird(see below)
4th Street Flats - Brant, Oystercatcher
O.C. Inlet - Harlequin Ducks, Black, Surf Scoters, Purple Sandpiper
At the marsh behind the marina at Indian River we found a flock of
Bufflehead
and Hooded Mergansers against the reeds. Behind the ducks were some
midsize
shorebirds. The unknown bird was in front the lesser yellowlegs and to
the
right of the solitary. It was in the water and was a uniform tan-gray
color
without the mottled look of a yellowlegs. The legs were a
greenish-yellow.
The plumage was a lot like the winter spotted sandpiper with the uniform
color
and the white throat and underside. The bird also had a white
eyestripe. It
appeared to be plump, but it could have had its feathers puffed out.
The most
odd part of the bird was the bill. It was shorter than a dowitcher's,
longer
than a lesser yellowlegs, and very thin. The bill was also slightly
UPTURNED.
I did not catch many other field marks as it was raining and cold and I
really
wanted to get in the car. I made these mental notes during about a
45-60
second look at the bird up close through a scope. If anyone else saw
this bird
or has any clue to what it could be please respond. I would like a
positive
ID on the bird. As of now I believe it was a odd plumaged Greater
Yellowlegs.
Thank you,
Matt Hafner