When I wandered our beaches since this last July, I have watched for migrant shorebirds. I do not mean the Spotted Sandpiper, the Solitary Sandpiper, or the Killdeer. Those are shorebirds that, while they migrate, do so by coming here. I was watching for those birds that winter to our south, and breed to our north, but stop by this region to feed on their way between their two homes. For three months, I saw nothing. Now, this was probably just sloppiness on my part. Then yesterday, I watched a Long-billed Dowitcher.
This Long-billed Dowitcher was in its non-breeding plumage. It had been along the Arctic coast, and was now heading to Mexico or extreme southern US. This is a long distance and along the way, it must stop and feed, which was what it was doing by stopping here. I have seen this dowitcher a few times before, but not often.
The Long-billed Dowitcher is scouring the shallow water and the ground for insects and aquatic invertebrates.
It spent the whole day eating. Here it has found something it consumed.
Blaine Shultz in Kaslo photographed a group of 5
Wilson Phalarope in Kaslo Bay a week ago.
What a beautiful shot with the reflection, and I swear I can see the eye of whatever it’s eating! Thanks so much.