Re: [Maine-birds] GREENLAND-TYPE DUNLIN, Pine Point, Scarborough, 9/20

Hi again,

Noah Gibb and I observed the bird through 12:45pm, when some of the group departed for Little Stratton Island. The adult Dunlin was apparently with that group, but three "typical" juveniles remained. Unfortunately, we were not able to observe the adult bird anywhere near the juvies.

I'll get some of my photos sorted and posted on my blog this afternoon, with a little analysis.

Louis, with few resources handy at the store, I am curious as to where I can reference a description of arcticola molting before they leave the breeding grounds. The Shorebird Guide lists arcticola (and hudsonia and pacifica) as molting on the breeding grounds.

Of course, it also mentioned that a "few individuals" of each subspecies migrate before molting "extensively."

However, I did not see any signs of molt in the birds in the field, or yet in my photos.

This was not a "short-billed" Dunlin, however, so my initial impression of arctica may not be right. Furthermore, as the bird came closer and the details of the bird (heat shimmer plus scope shake from the wind) became clearer (extent of black, breast streaking, scapulars, etc), a few other questions arose.

I also fear that I don't have the detail clear enough in my photos to analyze feather details well enough. Therefore, if anyone sees the bird again, closer and clearer photos would be much appreciated and useful!

Thanks,
Derek

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 20, 2015, at 12:46 PM, 'Derek Lovitch' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I completely forgot that articola delays molt as well. My caveats have been mostly due to my concern about the fairly long bill, which may be more in line with articola.
>
> Noah Gibb and I are currently working on improving photos, but the 20-2mph wind will be precluding any audio recordings.
>
> -Derek
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Sep 20, 2015, at 12:39 PM, Louis Bevier <lrbevier@colby.edu> wrote:
>>
>> Calls of the Greenland (arctica) and European (schinzii and nom. alpina) differ from the North American taxa. In addition to photos, it would be great to get some audio if the bird calls. There is also another subspecies that is somewhat paler-backed than our typical hudsonia and delays molt until after migration. That is arcticola from n. Alaska and the West Coast. Those would have a longer bill, closer to our typical birds. It should be noted that juvenile Dunlin show a fair amount of black on the belly still; so ageing is important. Fantastic bird!
>>
>> Louis Bevier
>> Fairfield
>>
>>
>>> On Sep 20, 2015, at 12:16 PM, 'Derek Lovitch' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>> I am currently observing a black-bellied, pale-backed GREENLAND (or other European-type)-like DUNLIN in Jones Creek at Pine Point.
>>> -Derek
>>
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