DOWITCHERS

["james.d.mcintyre" <james dot d dot mcintyre at worldnet dot att dot net>]

Milt:

 

I agree with Rick about the Dowitcher ID.  Long-billeds migrate through first in the Spring because they nest further north.  Similarly they return later in the Fall.

 

For range maps, see the Cornell Lab site:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Short-billed_Dowitcher.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-billed_Dowitcher.html

 

Shorebird whiz Bridget Olson (Wildlife Biologist at Bear River MBR) gave me a great mnemonic for remembering this.  When she was based in Minnesota, she would observe Long-billeds wearing long pants and Short-billeds wearing shorts. :)

 

Jim McIntyre