September is the month that the smaller shorebirds begin their migrations through our area towards warmer southern climates. We see a variety of different species at the Falls of the Ohio. Here is one impromptu tribute to them made from polystyrene foam. This one is a Styro-Sandpiper dragging its wing in mock injury. Among the materials I used to fashion him include: Styrofoam, blue- insulating foam, river wood, plastic (around the collar and the bill is the tip from a cheap little cigar). Oh, the eyes are tiny bits of coal. You are not allowed to collect fossils in the park and I sometimes wonder if this applies to the coal as well? Anyway, here are some images of genuine shorebirds photographed in the park.
Small bands of Least Sandpipers explore the margins along shallow pools of water covering the fossil beds during this time of year. Their bills probe the algae for the small invertebrates that live in the green mats. These are our most common sandpipers followed in number by Spotted Sandpipers. This time of year the Spotted Sandpipers actually have barred flanks and bright white bellies. We will have to wait for spring to see them with their characteristic spots and dots.
Tiny Semipalmated Plovers have traveled from the Arctic tundra and some make a stopover at the Falls. The autumn birds seem to be mostly juveniles. Piping Plovers, an endangered species, have been recorded in the park, but I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing one here. By far, our most common plover is the Killdeer. It’s hard to walk across the fossil beds this time of year without setting off their alarm calls.
For two years in a row I have come across American Golden-Plover juveniles. Although they are a bit larger than the smaller “peeps”, I decided to throw them in too because I like them and they show up this time of year! I’m amazed that this bird started life on the Arctic tundra and is now traveling to South America.
Last year I came across this bird dozing on a well placed log and wondered what it was? Its bill was tucked under the feathers on its back. As I got closer, you can imagine my surprise when the bill was exposed! I believe this is a juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher. Here is another image of this bird.
I watched this bird for a while and never heard it utter a sound. Referencing my bird guides, the literature says that the best way to differentiate it from the Long-billed Dowitcher is by its call. The length of its bill is of little help. Both bird species have been recorded in the park. The Short-billed is listed as rare and more than likely encountered in the summer. This bird was photographed last year on the first of September. The Long-billed is seen occasionally in the fall. After checking out several bird guides, there was something in its coloration and markings that said Short-billed Dowitcher for me. Perhaps some one out there with more experience can hazard a guess? Either way, it was a tremendous treat to come across it! I’ll end this post with another view of my Styro-Sandpiper posed in the sand and coal.
Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog 