While birding Sandy Pt on Saturday afternoon, a juvenile Western Willet was present among five or so juvenile Eastern Willets (the local adult Easterns seem to have departed). I was able to grab a few decent images of both subspecies. Separation of Western ( inornatus ) from Eastern ( semipalmatus ) Willet is something that is being attempted more and more lately, and it is very doable especially when both subspecies are present side-by-side. Someday these two subspecies may be split into full species, so it would be outstanding to get a head start on identifying every Willet we see. Western Willet: - longer-legged, larger size, and more lanky overall - longer, thinner bill (especially the tip) - paler than Eastern; juveniles appear grayish - less contrast between scapulars and wing coverts than Eastern (does not apply to adults) Note the long legs, size much larger than the adjacent Greater Yellowlegs, bill shape, grayish coloration, and the degree of contrast between the scaps and co...
Ha..maybe I should ask you to take a vacation rather then give you this invite..
ReplyDeleteHowdee.
Check out the link below and let me know if you would like to join us for a bird outing.
Birders who blog, tweet and chirp
August 28th, The Charlestown Breachway and Ninigret Tidal Flats
http://dawnandjeffsblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/bwbtc-charlestown-breachway-and.html
It would all be sweeter if you guys were back here enjoying the show!
ReplyDeleteMark
saw pair of snowy plovers in Goshen,ct last week at a small pond
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn, I'll check my schedule. August really snuck up on me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark. Glad it stuck around for us to see.
Anonymous...do you have any photos or description of the plovers? Snowy Plover is INCREDIBLY rare in the northeast and would be expected to turn up along the coast.