birding-aus

Dowitcher

To: "" <>
Subject: Dowitcher
From: Tim Faulkner <>
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 15:51:57 +1100
G'day, 

The dowitcher was seen well for an extended period from the north end today. 
Thanks to all for the calls and text  with updates leading to the successful 
twitch of the Dowitcher this morning (especially Ian). I think my four year old 
 son must have set some record for the youngest to have twitched such a mega. 

Regarding ID, sounds like a LBD from what the experts are saying. With absolute 
respect to their opinions, at this point, I'll take either of them. The birds 
was glorious!!! 

Tim Faulkner 

Sent from my iPhone

> On 16 Nov 2014, at 4:23 am, Joseph Morlan <> wrote:
> 
> In my opinion the plumage of this bird is unlike any Short-billed Dowitcher
> and fits all expected features of Long-billed Dowitcher.  Key features are:
> 
> 1. Spotting across the foreneck
> 2. Black centered scapular feathers with contrasting white fringes
> 
> Other features supportive of Long-billed include barring on the sides of
> the breast, a straight (not angled) lore line between the eye in the bill,
> and bill length. 
> 
> The previous post identifying it as a Short-billed was incorrect in a
> number of points.  In particular this plumage of this bird is impossible
> for a Short-billed of the race L. g. caurinus which never has the
> underparts completely colored.  If it is a Short-billed, it would have to
> be the interior race L. g. hendersoni which can look very much like a
> Long-billed.  However I believe hendersoni can be eliminated by the
> foreneck and scapular pattern.  
> 
> The previous post seemed to focus too much on structural "jizz" differences
> which are variable, hard to assess, and often overlapping. That said, voice
> recordings would be a nice addition to the record.  But I would be very
> surprised if they did not confirm Long-billed.  
> 
> 
> On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 20:05:41 +1100, martin cachard <>
> wrote:
> 
>> hello everyone, 
>> is it clear as yet which species this straggling Dowitcher is ??
>> 
>> I recall reading some interesting stuff here a couple of days ago that 
>> suggested strongly that this bird could be actually a Short-billed - posted 
>> by a local showing ID notes from a Northern Hemisphere birder colleague who 
>> has a great deal of experience with both this species & Long-billed on 
>> migration, & in the hand from banding studies... if my memory serves me 
>> rightly, he was suggesting a female due to the Oz stragglers long-ish bill, 
>> amongst other characters...
>> maybe someone should get some voice recordings of this individual to aid in 
>> the actual ID...??
>> 
>> just a thought...
>> cheers, 
>> martin cachard, 
>> cairns
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> From: 
>>> Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 18:51:15 +1100
>>> To: ; 
>>> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Dowitcher
>>> 
>>> Hi Birders, 
>>> 
>>> I'm embarking on a healthy drive tonight from the Central Coast NSW to 
>>> hopefully see the LBD tomorrow. Aiming to be there around 11am. More 
>>> impressive, I've brought my loving wife and both kids. I'm very restricted 
>>> for time and I'd greatly appreciate if anyone visiting tomorrow would be 
>>> kind enough to call or message me if the bird is found 0415904710 (and 
>>> please ask it to stay put until I get there). Alternatively, if you'd like 
>>> to exchange numbers feel free to text me.
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advanced
>>> 
>>> Tim Faulkner 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
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> -- 
> Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
> "It turns out we're very good at not seeing things" - Jack Hitt

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