Hi all!
See conversation below. If anyone has any more information on the
dowitcher at 98th and Milwaukee last month, please forward it to Steve.
- Jamie
On Fri, Sep 6, 2019 at 12:07 PM jamie court <jamiecourt2564@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi Steve,
If it's ok I'll forward this into the conversation regarding this bird? I
think the other observers are probably better places to answer some of
these questions. As far as I'm aware nobody recorded the call but others
may prove me wrong.
- Jamie
On 9/6/19 11:06 AM, Steve Collins wrote:
Hi Jamie,
I sent this to another reviewer. Neither of us feel confident this is a
short-billed based on the photos or description. The back shape is a good
field mark, but it's overused and is not diagnostic on its own. A much
better photo would be needed. Did anyone get a recording of the call?
Inland Short-billed Dowitchers are more uncommon than some birders will
lead you to believe, and their ID is not that straightforward.
Thanks,
Steve
On Thu, Sep 5, 2019 at 11:42 AM jamie court <jamiecourt2564@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
OK! I've attached a couple of snippets from the mailing group
conversation here too:
"Jim and I decided to check out the playa at 98th and Milwaukee yesterday
evening. We spotted it after missing a turn the other day, so happy
accident :) There was a nice variety of shorebirds including Baird’s,
Least, and Western Sandpipers along with a lone Dowitcher and two Lesser
Yellowlegs. I marked the dowitcher down as a Long-billed at the time. I
watched it for a bit and it appeared flat backed, which turns out would
indicate a Short-billed. Got mixed up on which one is flat backed and
should have gotten out my guide and taken a closer look. Maybe it will
still be around today. Several Burrowing Owls on both sides of the road."
"I went to that location today and I agree with you assessment about the
Dowitcher. I watched it for a while and I also believe it’s a short
billed. Lots of Sandpipers including Western, Baird’s and Least."
Regarding my photo:
"That looks like the dowitcher to me and it does help! Short-billed
Dowitchers have a smaller breast than Long-billed and rest in a more
horizontal position, like this one. I feel like you can draw a fairly
horizontal line from the tail through the breast on a resting Short-billed.
This one looks like it hasn’t quite settled down yet, but the “line” is
pretty horizontal.
Long-billed dowitchers have heavier breasts and rest at a sharper angle
(more leaned back posture) to offset the forward weight. To me, they have
more of a 45 degree angle if you draw a line from the tail through the
breast."
I believe the first reporter of this bird was Jennifer Miller, and the
photo is from Joe Cochran
Hope this helps!
- Jamie
On 9/5/19 10:33 AM, Steve Collins wrote:
Sure thing. You're not supposed to add photos from others to your eBird
checklist, but please send it to me. Who observed/photographed it?
Thanks,
Steve
On Thu, Sep 5, 2019 at 11:29 AM jamie court <jamiecourt2564@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi there, I don't have any more details or photos but I do have a photo
taken by another birder that was shared in a local email list. Do you
think it would be ok for me to send it to you?
- Jamie
On 9/5/19 8:44 AM, Steve Collins via eBird wrote:
Dear james court,to eliminate Long-billed. Thanks
Can you provide more details or photos? This photo is not sufficient
https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Febird%2Fview%2Fchecklist%2FS59517948&data=02%7C01%7C%7C5f2d37f6c6924ea9fa1d08d732071e26%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637032878452833306&sdata=aXmHgcwb5GnH%2BwPlMj7d8P6zM9TUgcAqoHOPVv3i1x4%3D&reserved=0
Species: Short-billed Dowitcher
Count: 1
Observation date: Aug 21, 2019
Location: 98th & Milwaukee Playa, Lubbock, Lubbock, US-TX
Submission ID: S59517948
<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Febird%2Fview%2Fchecklist%2FS59517948&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cecca6627e4ed413e9c8908d732e4b4bc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637033830170912138&sdata=VUBL7j5iIy7jBTrgsVoeBfe8TlpJZhfviHYXIHAh37E%3D&reserved=0>
Steve Collins
stevendouglascollins@xxxxxxxxx