Short-Billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus griseus
Short-Billed and Long-Billed Dowitchers are very difficult to distinguish in the field. Both are known for the “sewing machine” action they exhibit while feeding. Their ‘flight call’ that is most reliable means to determine which dowitcher you’ve seen. The notes of the Short-Billed have been described as more mellow than the Long-Billed Dowitcher. Habitat preference is sometimes used as a guideline, but there can be some overlap. The Short-Billed favors beaches and mud flats, whereas the Long-Billed favors grassy fresh water areas.
When not breeding in central Canada, the Hudson Bay or southern Alaska, these birds migrate to and from as far south as coastal California, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. They rarely stray far from the coast in winter. Science recognises three subspecies of Short-Billed Dowitcher. There are Limnodromus griseus griseus (summer breeder in northern Quebec, Limnodromus griseus hendersoni (summer breeder in north central Canada), and Limnodromus griseus caurinus (summer breeder in southern Alaska and southern Yukon).
Most of my Short-Billed Dowitcher meetings have been on the Oregon and California coasts, especially in South San Diego Bay, but in the spring of 2020 I took a three month trip to Texas. While visiting South Padre Island I found a few of these shorebirds at a shallow wetland by the Convention Center. There I also met Semipalmated and Stilt Sandpipers, birds I had not expected to encounter so intimately. I will remember that day for a long time.
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Morning gathering at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 8:19 |
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Location:
Bayfront Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X0821-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 15:28 |
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Location:
Bayfront Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X1303-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Wing stretching at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 15:30 |
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Location:
Bayfront Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X1314-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Foraging at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 15:31 |
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Location:
Bayfront Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X1331-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 14:58 |
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Location:
W F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/1 |
File Name: D3X4559-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 14:59 |
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Location:
W F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/1 |
File Name: D3X4562-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) in non-breeding (basic) plumage. This bird is possibly a male Long-billed (Limnodromus scolopaceus) at the San Dieguito River Mouth in Del Mar, California. San Diego County USA 2016-05-26. |
Date Taken: 2006:02:02 11:51 |
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Location:
San Digito River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD1473ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2006 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |
Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) group foraging at South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California USA 2009-08-05. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 6:56 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD4731.ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) group flight at South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California USA 2009-08-05. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 7:04 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD4756.ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) adult foraging at South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California USA 2009-04-18. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:00 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD5378.ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) group landing at South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California USA 2009-04-18. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:06 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD5417.ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) group foraging at South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California USA 2009-04-18. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:14 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD5491.ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: (Limnodromus griseus) adult foraging at South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California USA 2009-04-18. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:18 8:00 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: Cut_JCD5378.ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Foraging at North Mission Bay by the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve. San Diego County California USA 2008-11-02. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:07 19:55 |
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Location:
Kendall-Frost Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: jcd1280ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Flying with Western Sandpipers. Dowitchers are difficult to separate. As a general rule "Short-Billed" prefer saltwater or brackish habitats, where "Long-Billed" prefer fresh water. However, either might be present at this location. Tide flats along South Jetty Road in Bandon Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 16:18 |
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Location:
South Jetty Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X9979-Bandon-Oregon |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: Foraging with Western Sandpipers. Dowitchers are difficult to separate. As a general rule "Short-Billed" prefer saltwater or brackish habitats, where "Long-Billed" prefer fresh water. However, either might be present at this location. Tide flats along South Jetty Road in Bandon Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 15:55 |
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Location:
South Jetty Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X9884-Bandon-Oregon |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: With Western Sandpipers. Dowitchers are difficult to separate. As a general rule "Short-Billed" prefer saltwater or brackish habitats, where "Long-Billed" prefer fresh water. However, either might be present at this location. Tide flats along South Jetty Road in Bandon Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 15:55 |
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Location:
South Jetty Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X9879-Bandon-Oregon |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:23 6:11 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X1454-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:04:24 14:21 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X1027-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: In the company with Black-Bellied Plovers. Crescent Harbor in Crescent City California. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:12 7:56 |
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Location:
Crescent Harbor |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X1579-CrescentCity |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: The mouth of the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:09:23 11:18 |
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Location:
San Luis Rey Rivermouth |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X0220-ShortBilledDowitcher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: Flying with Western Sandpipers. Dowitchers are difficult to separate. As a general rule "Short-Billed" prefer saltwater or brackish habitats, where "Long-Billed" prefer fresh water. However, either might be present at this location. Tide flats along South Jetty Road in Bandon Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 16:23 |
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Location:
South Jetty Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X0025-Bandon-Oregon |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Long-Billed and Short-Billed Dowitchers are difficult to distinguish unless call notes are heard. I saw enough characters in this bird to convince me it is a Short-Billed Dowitcher. The Convention Center on South Padre Island, Texas is a first rate birding destination. I spent several hours in the morning and several more in the afternoon on this day. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:30 17:39 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/4000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D501588-South-Padre |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Long-Billed and Short-Billed Dowitchers are difficult to distinguish unless call notes are heard. I saw enough characters in this bird to convince me it is a Short-Billed Dowitcher, seen here feed near a Stilt Sandpiper. The Convention Center on South Padre Island, Texas is a first rate birding destination. I spent several hours in the morning and several more in the afternoon on this day. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:30 17:39 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D501603-South-Padre |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: In the company of Western Sandpipers. Dowitchers are difficult to separate. As a general rule "Short-Billed" prefer saltwater or brackish habitats, where "Long-Billed" prefer fresh water. However, either might be present at this location. Tide flats along South Jetty Road in Bandon Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 16:27 |
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Location:
South Jetty Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X0065-Bandon-Oregon |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: Foraging with Western Sandpipers. Dowitchers are difficult to separate. As a general rule "Short-Billed" prefer saltwater or brackish habitats, where "Long-Billed" prefer fresh water. However, either might be present at this location. Tide flats along South Jetty Road in Bandon Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 16:22 |
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Location:
South Jetty Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X0015-Bandon-Oregon |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: Dowitchers are difficult to separate. As a general rule "Short-Billed" prefer saltwater or brackish habitats, where "Long-Billed" prefer fresh water. However, either might be present at this location. Tide flats along South Jetty Road in Bandon Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 16:22 |
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Location:
South Jetty Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X0013-Bandon-Oregon |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: On my arrival there were only one or two dowitchers on the marsh. But later a large flock sailed in to join them. Hurricane Harvey, in 2017, hit Port Aransas (Texas) hard. The beginning stages of rebuilding the Port Aransas Nature Center’s boardwalk began with a 1500' footpath, but there are plans to extend it to about three miles. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:28 8:42 |
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Location:
Port Aransas Nature Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X6746-PortAransas_TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: On my arrival there were only one or two dowitchers on the marsh. But later a large flock sailed in to join them. Hurricane Harvey, in 2017, hit Port Aransas (Texas) hard. The beginning stages of rebuilding the Port Aransas Nature Center’s boardwalk began with a 1500' footpath, but there are plans to extend it to about three miles. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:28 9:22 |
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Location:
Port Aransas Nature Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X6900-PortAransas_TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: On my arrival there were only one or two dowitchers on the marsh. But later a large flock sailed in to join them. Hurricane Harvey, in 2017, hit Port Aransas (Texas) hard. The beginning stages of rebuilding the Port Aransas Nature Center’s boardwalk began with a 1500' footpath, but there are plans to extend it to about three miles. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:28 9:22 |
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Location:
Port Aransas Nature Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X6921-PortAransas_TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: On my arrival there were only one or two dowitchers on the marsh. But later a large flock sailed in to join them. Hurricane Harvey, in 2017, hit Port Aransas (Texas) hard. The beginning stages of rebuilding the Port Aransas Nature Center’s boardwalk began with a 1500' footpath, but there are plans to extend it to about three miles. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:28 9:22 |
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Location:
Port Aransas Nature Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X6924-PortAransas_TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
|
Description: On my arrival there were only one or two dowitchers on the marsh. But later a large flock sailed in to join them. Hurricane Harvey, in 2017, hit Port Aransas (Texas) hard. The beginning stages of rebuilding the Port Aransas Nature Center’s boardwalk began with a 1500' footpath, but there are plans to extend it to about three miles. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:28 11:18 |
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Location:
Port Aransas Nature Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X6974-PortAransas_TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Hiding among the larger Willets, oystercatchers and gulls loafing on the docks, were a few dowitchers. My drive away from Aransas NWR on Wednesday (2021-03-03) ended when I reached Galveston. I pulled off the freeway at Tiki Island, where it was my good fortune to meet Dennis Jones, a Coast Warden for Texas Audubon, as he was loading his boat onto its trailer. He was generous enough to offer to take me with him on his rounds to monitor nesting islands in West Bay. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:04 13:17 |
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Location:
Tiki Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 280 mm, f/7.1, 1/4000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D509745-Tiki-Island_Galveston-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Among the yellowlegs, stilts, killdeer and other shorebirds on the wetlands were these dowitchers. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 12:50 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X3004-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Short-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus) |
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Description: Dowitchers joined the Dunlins foraging on the worms and crustaceans hiding in the wet sand. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns. |
Date Taken: 2021:05:08 10:09 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X7378_SPI-ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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