CLOSED: Meadowlark and Shorebirds

I am attempting to make a bird list for 2012 (inspired by Resin's thread). I've never done a list before. I want to make sure I don't misidentify anything on the list, so I'll be posting a few photos for ID help as I go through the ones I've taken this year.

These were taken on January 3, 2012 at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, near Galveston, Texas.

Is it possible to tell if the Meadowlark is Eastern or Western? The Eastern is in the area year-round, but the Western only winters in this area.

Most often by sight alone I cannot tell one Meadowlark from another. Sometimes the variations between individuals throw me off. What we did was became familiar with their songs. The Western is more melodious than the Eastern.

Here is a link that may help you:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/mlarkdiff.htm

We can have both year round but the Eastern is much more rare in the winter months. We were blessed to hear the Westerns singing a couple weeks go when it got up into the 50's and 60's.

I am not familiar at all with shorebirds.

Thanks for the link and info! Based on that link, it looks more like an Eastern - white below the base of the lower mandible.

I'd go Eastern as well, from the fairly strong dark line through the eye.

Lesser Yellowlegs in the 3rd pic.

Resin

Thanks Resin. That's two more for my list.

Much appreciated.

Patti