Shorebirds

Late summer is shorebird season. There isn’t a lot else going on, bird-wise, so now is the time to study these long-distance migrants and hope for something unusual to show up. Western Sandpipers are among the most common species.

This juvenile Western Sandpiper is already molting into their first winter plumage. Some gray feathers are appearing on the wings and the rusty “suspenders” that young Westerns are known for are fading.

Here is a Least Sandpiper in fresh juvenile plumage.

Long-billed Dowitchers

This is a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper with a Least in the background. Semipalmateds were a really big deal anywhere in Oregon 20 years ago, but I think birders are just getting better at recognizing them now.

It is always nice when a Wilson’s Snipe comes out into the open.

Killdeer

Western Sandpiper preening

Happy (late) summer!