So very glad to hear from you. I was afraid it would be something like that
with Elden. You are right that he is in the best place for him right now and I
understand your exhaustion. Do take the time to meet with JAnet I think it
will do you good.
We will be back in a few weeks and I will be there for you in any way I can.
Karen
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 8, 2016, at 9:05 AM, John Rakestraw <rakestrawbirder@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Years ago I found a "curlew" specimen in a nature center in Maine. The bird
looked very much like an Eskimo Curlew in size and shape, but closer
examination revealed it to be a runt Whimbrel.
John Rakestraw
On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 10:24 PM, Robert O'Brien <baro@xxxxxxx> wrote:
A few years ago on ID Frontiers (BIRDWOG01) there was posted a putative
Eskimo Curlew from Europe.
Some flight photos were shown and the bird was clearly, significantly
smaller than any of the accompanying whimbrel flock.
This would have been quite a sighting, but one possible explanation given in
discussion was a 'runt' whimbrel.
I haven't seen much discussion of 'runt' shorebirds, or any other type of
bird runt.
But it seems I saw one last week at Half Moon Bay, California.
This was a very small Marbled Godwit, feeding with, but not flocking among,
'normal' sized ones.
It appeared to be smaller even than a Bar-tailed. After I had taken a
single comparison photo
(attached) it unfortunately flew off down the ocean beach by itself, leaving
the others on the shore.
Flight photos were consistent with Marbled Godwit.
The attached photo is not the best comparison in positions, but you can see
the size difference. It was really
striking, even to the distant, naked eye.
Anyone have experience with 'runt' shorebirds?
Marbled Godwit is stated not to show significant sexual dimorphism
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1675/063.036.0412?journalCode=cowa
nor have I ever seen any significant size variation in many, many flocks of
godwits.
Bob OBrien
Carver OR
PS Would the moderator please post this photo to the OBOL photo site?
Thanks
PPS Of course, one doesn't see many dwarf humans among many, many 'normal'
sized ones either.
--
John Rakestraw
Portland, OR
Second Edition of Birding Oregon available here
