2014 Spring Shorebird Identification Workshop
On Saturday, May 3, we held our first Shorebird Identification Workshop. For the indoor portion of the workshop, Dr. Jason Hoeksema gave an enlightening overview of the ins and outs of shorebird identification with special reference to species likely to be encountered in Mississippi. The group then caravanned to the Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge for some hands-on shorebirding practice. Delta Wind Birds offers a special thank you to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for making the Refuge accessible for this educational outing.
While the indoor presentation was taking place, Delta Wind Birds board members Gene Knight and Wayne Patterson went ahead of the group to scout the best areas of the Refuge for shorebirds. Gene called to tell us that water levels were up a little too high for most of the “peep” species. “But there are phalaropes,” he added flatly – and somewhat cryptically. Phalaropes are an uncommon but regular treat for those who chase shorebirds in the Delta, usually found only in very small numbers at isolated locations, so we were pleased to hear that the group might get to see one.
While recent rains had raised water levels in most of the ponds and flooded most of the mud habitat, workshop participants had the opportunity to view fourteen shorebird species including American Golden-Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Least Sandpiper. The highlight, however, was a group of no less than 30+ Wilson’s Phalaropes in a single pond foraging among the Yellowlegs and Dowitchers. The vast majority of the Phalaropes were females, evidenced by the bold breeding plumage. Among Phalaropes, unlike the majority of bird species, the females take on the bright breeding plumages while the males remain overall a drab gray with a much more muted patterning. Walking along the pond levees, the group was able to get within thirty meters or so of the birds, providing great views even without a scope!
After a session of scoping sandpipers to get a feel for relative sizes and picking out diagnostic patterns in the different feather groups, we wrapped up the afternoon with a few migrating Bobolinks and a pair of Spotted Sandpipers along a pond edge on the way out of the Refuge. Thanks to all those from Mississippi, Tennessee, and even North Carolina (!) who participated, making our first Shorebird Workshop a great success.
Did you know that fall migration will start as soon as July for some shorebird species? Stay tuned for shorebirding field trips this summer with Delta Wind Birds.
Photos from the workshop can be found here. An eBird checklist of the visit to the Coldwater River NWR is posted here.