#: 88-B-06
Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form
Species: Whimbrel
Reporter: Jay Carlisle
6105 Kirkwood Rd
Boise, ID 83709
jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu
Other Observers: none
Date Report Prepared: 9-20-06
Date Sighting Occurred: 7-25-99
Locality of Observation: American Falls Reservoir, ~ 1/8 mile W of Willow Bay Marina. I parked in the large parking area just west of the marina and scanned the edge of the reservoir from there.
Habitat: mudflat
Conditions: Not sure exactly but I do remember it being clear & hot (likely 90’s)
Did you take notes? no
Did you consult a field guide or other reference work? during the observation
What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?
National Geographic
Description: I saw the bird at approximately 50-75m distance during midday (don’t remember time exactly) using binoculars (Eagle Optics 10x42) and a spotting scope (Kowa 60mm at about 40x).
I observed a large brownish shorebird with a decurved bill. Other fieldmarks I observed included whitish central crown stripe, pale supercilium, dark eye-line, and a streaked chest.
Behavior: The bird was foraging on the mudflat just up from the waterline. It was feeding alone but was seen nearby 2 other shorebirds - a Killdeer and a Snowy Plover (see separate report). I honestly do not remember observing any particular foraging behavior.
How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? Immediately – the large size, facial pattern, and decurved bill were the clinchers.
How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Similar species include Long-billed Curlew and Bristle-thighed Curlew (very unexpected in Idaho). Long-billed Curlew can be separated by a less contrasting facial pattern, larger size, buffy underparts and wings, and a generally longer bill (not always obviously longer in juveniles) whereas Bristle-thighed Curlew is very similar but has a buffy belly and tail.
Experience with this species (and similar species): I have observed 100s of Whimbrels, including during migration along the Pacific coast and inland in both South Dakota (over 10 individuals) and Idaho (2 other individuals – found by Bob Davis in 2006) and on the wintering grounds in California and Oregon. I have also seen hundreds of Long-billed Curlews all over the western US. Lastly, I have seen about 5 Bristle-thighed Curlews on the wintering grounds in Hawaii.
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.
Note: I called Marty Collar (Pocatello) soon after this sighting. He rushed out to the same area (within an hour ???) and was able to re-find the separately reported Snowy Plover but did not see this bird.