Bird Record #: 61-B-06
Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form
Species: Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Reporter: Jay Carlisle
6105 Kirkwood Rd
Boise, ID 83709
jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu
Other Observers: Khara Strum (IBO field crew member)
Also seen by Harry Krueger (& others) on 8-30 and by Craig Fosdick on 9-1
Date Report Prepared: 11-05-06
Date Sighting Occurred: 8-29-04
Locality of Observation: Blacks Creek Reservoir, Ada Co.; on mudflats at the east end of the reservoir
Habitat: mudflats
Conditions: I don’t remember conditions exactly but I do remember sunlight being an issue when I first spotted the bird; I used Swarovski EL 10x42 binoculars and a Fujinon 80mm spotting scope (20-60 zoom) at between 20-40x.
Did you take notes? not at all
Did you consult a field guide or other reference work? during and after the observation
What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?
Sibley; National Geographic; Paulson’s ‘Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest’
Description: A small to medium-sized shorebird (larger than a ‘peep’) with yellow legs; a large-appearing black eye set off against a plain, buffy face; a squarish head shape; a streaked crown contrasting with the buffy face, auricular, and nape; relatively short, dark bill; dark spotting on sides of chest contrasting with unmarked central chest and belly; an elongated posture with a thin neck; and wingtips approximately reaching the tail tip;.
Behavior: I first saw the bird in a foraging flock on drier mudflats consisting of mostly Baird’s Sandpipers (many other species present – including an immature Stilt Sandpiper) at a distance of ~ 125+m. The bird foraged in plover style (taking a few steps between bending over to peck at the surface).
How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? Quickly … due especially to the dark eye set off against the plain, buffy face and because I had direct comparison with multiple nearby Baird’s Sandpipers. Further examination revealed the yellowish legs, mostly unmarked underparts, and shortish dark bill.
How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Possibilities include Ruff, Pectoral and Baird’s sandpiper, and the golden plovers (juvenile/winter). The plovers can be ruled out by the leg color, underwing pattern, and the fact that plovers have thicker bills. Baird’s Sandpiper can be ruled out by smaller size, dark legs, an elongated but horizontal posture, and streaking on chest and face. Pectoral Sandpiper can be ruled out by streaking on chest (ending abrubtly), a longer bill, and reddish tones to upperparts. Lastly, Ruff (juvenile) can be eliminated by its larger size, longer bill and legs, and different shape of head.
Experience with this species (and similar species): I have observed at least 35 Buff-breasted Sandpipers during spring and fall migration (mostly in South Dakota but also including Louisiana and Idaho – see separate IBRC report for 2006 @ American Falls Reservoir). I have seen Ruff juveniles on 2 occasions (Texas and Washington state). I have seen thousands of Pectoral and Baird’s Sandpipers in many states but especially South Dakota and Idaho.
General birding experience: extensive; 14+ years in US and Latin America
Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) No. (I don’t know if anyone else got pictures.)