Again, I have better pictures of the long-billed curlew, but I want to document the time of year. Interesting to note, my previous post of curlews here at Morro Strand State Beach on June 25, 2009 seems contrary to their typical migration patterns. They're supposedly only winter visitors here on the coast, and I wouldn't exactly say late June as being winter. Actually I saw many more long-billed curlews back in June, 2 years ago, than this visit in October. The previous post is a marbled godwit, which looks similar to an amateur like me.
5 comments:
Seeing migrant birds out of season can be due to the fact they've not yet reached the age where they would normally breed or perhaps they are mature enough but have failed to breed due to bad weather, loss of habitat or predation of eggs or nestlings. When visiting the Northern Isles in late Spring/early Summer, we often see small flocks of non-breeding waders.
I'm going to quote Don Roberson from his book Monterey Birds, even though my post was from San Luis Obispo County, 125 miles southeast of where I live. He said, "It is hard to determine the status of any curlew seen in June... These are probably non-breeders summering locally." Sheesh, I've got a lot to learn about birds. Thanks for your input, Graeme. You know, you're encouraging me to visit the UK again. However, I haven't figured out the right time of year to visit. On my bucket list is to see bluebells in their full glory.
And another fantastic idea for a blogpost! How do you do it? Standby for more info...
What idea? I'm standing by...
OK, perhaps "Standby" was the wrong phrase to use. I remember that last time you triggered an idea for me, it took over two months to make it to Blogger [hangs head in shame]. Let's see if I can beat my personal best?
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