[TN-Bird] Baird's Sandpiper Ensley Bottoms

March 30, 2003
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN

Baird's Sandpipers are sparse spring migrants over here in west TN (more 
numerous the farther west you get) and many probably sneak through 
undetected. I have over 200 entries in my data base for them and many more 
that were not entered because they were seen on consecutive days. I do note 
length of stay for most species. Only about 17% of these sightings are in the 
spring. 

This species comes through in two different spurts. One very early, in fact 
as early as any Pectoral Sandpipers and long before you would expect 
Semipalmated or Western Sandpipers. I have one record in February on the 
27th, 8 sightings in March and a few in early April. The next and larger 
grouping comes through in late April and extends through May. I believe a lot 
of the very early birds are overlooked among the early Pectorals and many 
others are not seen because there are few out looking for shorebirds at that 
time.

I noticed a bird in the middle of one of the large pits at Ensley today, it 
just did not have the right coloration and the scope proved my suspicions 
correct as a Baird's Sandpiper was picking along in its normal level back 
attitude. I took some distant photographs and scanned through the rest of the 
Pectoral, Least, Solitary Sandpipers looking for anything else that was new 
for the season. The numbers were higher than on Saturday but the Black-necked 
Stilt numbers remained at a dozen birds.

Just a heads up reminder to look closely at the Pectoral Sandpipers in late 
winter and early spring. ;o)

The Surf Scoter still slept among the scaup today (Sunday).

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with
first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
-----------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
----------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send email to:
tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
          web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
        jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx      (423) 764-3958
=========================================================

Other related posts: