Ron Bolander used the new Merlin bird ID app to try and identify a shorebird but it steered him wrong. Ron wrote, “While I was on the beach, mid Tuesday afternoon, I got some pictures, that "Merlin" identified as Semipalmated Sandpipers.  Checking on the Cornell site for information, these are not supposed to be here.  They migrate from the Arctic to South America, but the migration is east of the Rocky Mountains.”

I sent Ron’s photos to Diane Hichwa, who in turn sent them to a shorebird expert, Lisa Hug, who wrote, “It is a Least Sandpiper - yellowish legs, dark streaking on chest.” Diane commented, “Shorebirds are SELDOM easy, and in transitions from breeding plumage to winter plumage, they are even more challenging.”

Ron also photographed a Western Sandpiper.

Such beautiful birds plying our beaches! Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

The weather is changing! We actually have some rain headed our way beginning Saturday evening.  Today it is windy and mild. It feels very good to know rain is in our near future!