Shorebird diversity is increasing as migrants move north through the Middle Atlantic states. Here’s a selection from this past weekend, May 1st and 2nd (click through for larger images):
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis, Maryland 05-01-2010
White-rumped Sandpiper is an extreme long-distance migrant, breeding in the high Arctic and wintering in southern South America. Distinguishing features include the very long wings, with the tips of the primaries extending beyond the tip of the tail at rest (shared only with Baird’s Sandpiper C. bairdii – also a long-distance migrant), and the dark markings on the flanks.
Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos (left) with Dunlin C. alpina, partly hidden on the right, Maryland 05-01-2010
Another long-distance migrant, returning to the Arctic from winter quarters in South America. Note the sharply defined band of breast streaking and yellowish legs.
Semipalmated Sandpiper C. pusilla (left), with Dunlin, Maryland 05-01-2010
An Arctic breeder that winters in Central and northern South America. Small and somewhat nondescript, note the short, blunt-tipped and deep-based bill, generally gray-toned upperparts and lack of much streaking on the breast.
Least Sandpiper C. minutilla, Maryland 05-01-2010
Breeds further south and winters further north (into the southern U.S.) than the other species above. Very small, note the brownish tone of the upperparts, delicate fine-tipped bill, yellowish legs and heavily marked breast.
Dunlin C. alpina, Maryland 05-01-2010
The Dunlins that winter on the East Coast belong to the subspecies hudsonia, which breeds around Hudson Bay. The bird on the left shows the typical underpart pattern of hudsonia, where the breast streaking abuts the black belly patch, with no intervening unmarked white area. Also note the very long bill – hudsonia and pacifica are the longest-billed subspecies of Dunlin.
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus, Maryland 05-01-2010
Best distinguished from Long-billed Dowitcher L. scolopaceus by call. Both nominate griseus of eastern Canada and hendersoni of central Canada are to be expected in the eastern U.S.
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes, Maryland 05-01-2010
Winters on the East Coast, breeds in central and western Canada. Best distinguished from Greater Yellowlegs T. melanoleuca by structure and voice. Note the light build and delicate, relatively short bill. The underparts are densely barred and upperparts heavily spotted breeding plumage.
Two Greater Yellowlegs T. melanoleuca, Maryland 05-01-2010
Similar distribution to Lesser Yellowlegs, but breeds further east. Note the longer bill, slightly upturned and with a pale base. Larger, lankier and heavier overall.
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia, Delaware 05-02—2010
Winters from the southern U.S. southwards. Unmistakable breeding plumage.
Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata, Maryland 05-02-2010
Beautiful cryptic patterning. Winters in the Middle Atlantic states, breeds further north.
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