CLOSED: Shorebird 2 - ID Help

Also Galveston last Tuesday. This one is also very small. I think it is a Wilson's Plover, but not at all sure...

Semi-palmated Plover

Thanks Burd!

My book indicates that the Texas Gulf Coast is the winter range for the Semi-palmated Plover. Why would it be that one over the Wilson's? I can't tell the difference. Appreciate your help.

Patti

This message was edited Aug 27, 2010 3:41 PM

Yep, Semipalmated Plover, adult winter plumage.

Resin

Thanks Resin. That's two votes for the Semi-palmated. I am so confused. I need to read more about these ID books. If I understand the Range Maps (which I obviously don't. LOL), both of the books I usually use show this bird is only in Galveston in the winter. It's not winter in Galveston. This is the hottest part of summer in Galveston.

I'm missing something, but I'll figure it out eventually.

Thanks again to both Burd and Resin!

Patti

It is rapidly approaching winter in the high Arctic where they breed - the adults usually leave in mid to late August to head back south, and they're good enough flyers to do a transcontinental flight in one hop. So they're arriving back on the wintering grounds around now.

I've been seeing quite a few wintering waders arriving back here too in the last couple of weeks, some of them have come from as far away as the Taimyr Peninsula (far north of Siberia), over 4,000 km from here.

Resin

Resin,

Now that makes sense. Thanks for explaining it so even a rookie like I am could understand. I was really puzzled. You are a great teacher!

Patti

It's just amazing what these waders can do . . .

The Red Knots I've been seeing here recently do their migration in just two legs, Taimyr to Britain, then 2 or 3 weeks feeding up here, then they're off again to winter on the Banc d'Arguin in Mauretania in West Africa. Perfect navigation too, it's a straight line on the globe . . .

Resin

But the real stars are Bar-tailed Godwits . . . they do this, non-stop - they have to, as there isn't anywhere for them to stop . . .

Takes them about a week to do it too, with no food or water.

Wow! That is amazing. It is hard to believe that these little creatures (butterflies too) can migrate so far. Your graphic representations really drive home the message.

Seems strange that the Godwits appear to be going from one extreme (pole) to the other. Is it really better at the end of the journey?

Very kool! Straight line is right...incredible feats and done twice a year. Thanks also for the info Resin!