High Island, Texas - April 2008

Waders : page 4

Semipalmated Sandpiper

All of the Semi P's here are from Bolivar Flats. The bird above shows the gingery tones of adult summer plumage, compare with the adult summer Western Sandpipers below.

The Semi P below is less advanced towards summer plumage with slight gingery tones appearing just above the supercilium, on the rear scapulars and possibly the inner tertials.

Western Sandpiper

Note the more rufous ear coverts and 'brow' along with scatter scapulars. Western Sandpipers are more leggy than Semi P's with a less pot bellied appearance and an appreciably longer bill.

Here we have direct comparison with Semipalmated (front) and Western Sandpipers (rear). The differences between the two are obvious. The Western Sandpiper is about a fifth larger than the Semipalmated with clearly longer bill, longer legs, especially the tibia and less pot bellied appearance. Due to the long bill Western Sands were noted, and is visible here, did not have to stoop forward when feeding thus have a more horizontal stance compared with the slightly tipped forward Semipalmated.

Sanderling's in summer plumage are stunning and Bolivar Flats had an ample supply of these spangled gems.

Dunlin were common at Bolivar Flats whilst the Oilfields, where the below bird was photographed, had a few scattered birds. These birds are probably of the race hudsonia.

Black-necked Stilt

Killdeer

Semipalmated Sandpiper

American Oystercatcher

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Western Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Sanderling

Long-billed Curlew

American Golden Plover