Today, I saw and photographed the bird reported from Fort Erie yesterday and last weekend. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper. All characters point to that species. The only thing slightly unusual about it is that it lacks buff tones on the sides of the breast. Other shorebirds were a juvenile Dunlin, an adult White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, and several Killdeer. The Killdeer flush easily which often flushes the Curlew Sand. That is not necessarily a bad thing as it allows a view of the bird's white rump. Note that the Curlew Sand is larger than the White-rumped Sandpiper which could be confused with it if one was looking for just a single field mark - that is, the white rump. The bird's scaly upperparts are very different than that of the Dunlin, which also lacks a white rump.
Good luck and congratulations to Peter Yoerg on his great find! Willie DIRECTIONS: >From the Peace Bridge, proceed to the river's edge and head west or south toward the old fort. Shortly after the fort, turn right onto Adelaide St. and park there. Walk back to the lake and check the beach to your right. If you don't find it, walk down to the beach and head to your right (west). The bird has been seen past the point to your right so it will likely be there if you have not found it yet (assuming it has not migrated yet). ---------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
