[birdky] INFO: Shorebird statuses in spring

As everyone is realizing, it has been a GREAT spring for shorebirds,
offering many opportunities to see species and numbers of species we are
not normally blessed with. Many folks are not familiar with the status
and abundance of shorebirds in the springtime, being much more familiar
with what is common and rare and when to expect them in the fall.
 
I just wanted to run by several tidbits that might help in reporting of
some of our more uncommon species.
 
Western Sandpiper .... Western is a VERY good shorebird in spring in KY,
meaning they are a good find. The numbers at McElroy Lake this spring
were above-average (not record) and they were seen on a number of days
from late April thru the first week of May. While it is possible for a
bird or two to occur now in mid-May, it is not to really be expected ...
so a Western, good at any place at any time in spring in KY is a GOOD
bird, one after about the first week and a half of May is exceptional!
 
Baird's Sandpiper ... about the same thing can be said of this rare
spring shorebird. Actually, David was only able to find one bird this
spring despite much scanning of the shorebird flocks, I'm sure. It is an
especially good find and the fact that David found only one attests to
its rarity in spring. Now here in mid-May, it would be an EXCEPTIONALLY
good find.
 
Sanderling ... Sanderlings are yet another very GOOD find in spring and
it takes exceptional conditions like McElroy has afforded this spring to
have them regularly even in small numbers; their numbers would actually
normally peak this week; the birds at McElroy in early May were
relatively exceptional, although there have been other records in past
years in early May.
 
Ruddy Turnstone ... about the same status as Sanderlings including peak
numbers usually expected this week. Same can be said for Whimbrel and
Red-necked Phalarope, although these two are even rarer.
 
A few other species that may not have peaked yet include Black-bellied
Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper, Dunlin, and Stilt Sandpiper.
 
Buff-breasted Sandpiper ... we have never had a good spring record of
this regular fall bird. They primarily migrate north through the Great
Plains west of the Mississippi. The same can be said about Red Knot,
although we appear to have at least a couple of valid spring records,
both from the transient lakes in southern Warren County in years like
this one.
 
Least and Semi Sandpiper ... Leasts typically peak in early May and
numbers tail off through mid-May as they are replaced by Semi
Sandpipers. The big Semi numbers are YET to be seen at McElroy, maybe
even not until the 25-28th of May if mudflat habitat persists. Right now
there is a good mix of both and species that may continue for another
week.
 
With the late May flocks could be some exceptional finds. Last year, a
site in northern Indiana turned up nice photo-documented records of both
Red-necked Stint and Curlew Sandpiper.
 
This is far from all that could be said on the topic, and David might
have some other notes to add, but I just wanted folks to be checking
their Annotated Checklists for what is to be expected here during the
last two weeks of May in assisting in making reports the most accurate.
 
bpb, Frankfort

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