Semipalmated Sandpiper 24 August 2010 at Pilarcitos Creek, Half Moon Bay, SM Photo © 2010 Joseph Morlan


This is one of two Semipalmated Sandpipers known to be present. A photo of the second bird is at:

http://fog.ccsf.edu/~jmorlan/sesa082410.htm

These small sandpipers are abundant breeders across the American arctic, but their migration route is primarily through the Eastern half of the continent. It remains a scarce migrant here in California where its true status is somewhat clouded by the difficulty of distinguishing it from the similar but abundant Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri).

This is a juvenile, making identification somewhat easier, although still tricky. The name "Semipalmated" derives from tiny webs between their toes, rarely visible in the field. Semipalmated Sandpipers winter primarily in South America.

Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope 3 | 30X WA | hand-held (no adapter)
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