I stopped by the usual spot on Loudoun County Parkway this evening at around
6:30 for about 20 minutes. This was the first time in the last few weeks
that I've been there at the same time as the birds. I don't have much
experience with shorebirds, but I believe I saw a SANDERLING and a STILT
SANDPIPER. I know these aren't too common in Loudoun, so my descriptions are
below- let me know if I goofed! Also, among the Killdeer, were Least
Sandpipers, some other peep sp., and a few Pectoral Sandpipers.
Sanderling- this bird was very pale, and its back had a scalloped look. It
was comparable in size to the peeps, with a black bill and black legs. It
was very aggressive towards any other bird that came close to it. I also saw
the dark crescent on its "shoulder."
Stilt Sandpiper - this bird was about the same size as the pectorals, but
without the distinctive chest pattern. It had long yellow legs (but
definitely wasn't either yellowleg species). When it fed, it would stick its
head under the water and rapidly probe for about a half a second.
Andy Rabin
Reston, VA
andyrabin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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