Date: 3/31/25 6:48 pm From: Cliff Weisse via groups.io <cliffandlisa...> Subject: Re: [IBLE] Semipalmated Sandpiper Records
Similar to Swainson's Hawk Semis winter mostly in South America and their migration timing is similarly punctual. FWIW, there are zero eBird records for March in WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, UT, WY, MT, NM, and ND. Arrival this early is unprecedented so it's well worth making the effort to obtain photographic documentation.
Cliff
On 3/31/25 07:16PM, Louisa Evers via groups.io wrote: > I know Linda Wentz and I studied our reported semipalmated sandpiper > as carefully as we could before a harrier spooked the bird. We first > thought a western sandpiper but the bill was too short and the wrong > shape (more-or-less conical and not down-drooping). We also did not > see any rufous on the head, auriculars, or scapulars and it lacked > spotting in the flanks, nor was it the typical gray color of basic > plumage. Definitely had black legs. Many birds are showing up early > this year in southwest Idaho. > > > On Mon, Mar 31, 2025 at 7:09 PM Cliff Weisse via groups.io > <http://groups.io> <cliffandlisa...> wrote: > > We are seeing a spate of eBird reports of Semipalmated Sandpiper in > Idaho so I thought I'd throw this out there. This is exceedingly > early > for this species in Idaho. I just pulled up the eBird map for this > year > and the closest to Idaho there are checklists is in Kansas. I > found two > photos for Idaho in late April but May is a more typical time for > them > to come through. > > Shorebirds in general can be difficult to ID (to say the least) and > Semipalmated Sandpiper is notoriously easy to confuse with/for other > species, especially Western Sandpiper. I would encourage everyone > to try > to get photos if you think you see one before May. Good luck. > > Cliff > > -- > Cliff and Lisa Weisse > Island Park, Idaho > <cliffandlisa...> > > > > > > > > > -- > Louisa Evers > <elouisa603...> > Take care of the birds and you take care of the world >
-- Cliff and Lisa Weisse Island Park, Idaho <cliffandlisa...>
