When:

Who:

Where:

County:

Location:

Exact Site:
Blue Marsh Lake State Hill Boat Launch parking lot

eBird Hotspot:

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For older records, view original documentation here.

How Many:

Habitat:
Lake shore waters edge, stone/pebble shoreline

Distance from bird:
15 meters

Viewing Conditions:
Clear un-obstructed path from a slightly elevated location

Optics Used:
Vortex Razor HD 20-60 scope and Razor HD 10x42 binoculars

Description:
No other species were present. I believe the best description is in the four photos attached to this record. The dark plumage and stout bill with pinkish coloration stood out the most.

Behavior:
The bird was standing at the waters edge, would occasional move a few feet in either direction, would periodically forage at in the rocky shoreline.

Separation from similar species:
The Willet is a species I'm familiar with from both the NJ shore and CA coast. It was larger than any of the sandpipers that could be at the lake and showed less motion. Bill was thicker than yellowlegs (greater or lesser). Lacked the decurved bill of a godwit or avocet and lacked the curved bill of the whimbrel.

Discussion:
There was an overnight storm that came though the area producing winds and rain that lasted into the day on the 10th.

How positive are you about the identification:
Yes. I immediately took photos and shared them with well experienced observers and it was unanimous that the darker color and stout bill with pinkish coloration made this the eastern subspecies.

References:

During the observation:
Paul Heveran, Ross Gallardy, Jeff Vinosky. Cornell's Merlin

After the observation:
Birds of the world, ABA article on willet lumps and splits May/June 2006

Media:

Photos and Drawings