Bobby D 2 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Solitary feeder in mudflats of old abandoned rice fields at Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, Bennett's Point, SC. This location is in the heart of the ACE Basic between the Edisto and Ashepoo RIvers. Nearby were numerous Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Tricolored Heron & Little Blue Heron feeding in the flats. Photos taken yesterday, Thursday, Feb 25, 2021 at 1450. Sunny, 65 degrees with gentle breezes. The photos of the group of birds flying are not great. But, I am hoping someone can help me. The photos were taken while I was shooting the solitary bird, as they just flashed overhead. About five minutes earlier I had just seen a group of about the same number of Short-billed Dowitchers in a pond across the dike feeding in the shallows. So, any help on these two sets of photos would be appreciated. I am a beginner, so please go easy on me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby D 2 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 Is there a reason I got no replies to this post? Help, please. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gpoole 34 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Yes. Lesser Yellowlegs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby D 2 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gpoole 34 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 @Bobby D I'm having second thoughts after looking at these photos again. Lesser Yellowlegs have shorter and darker bills. At first glance #3 seems to fit the bill (no pun intended) but it may be angled away from the camera making it seem shorter. Also, I think I can see the bill is slightly upturned,and the body is quite angular, leaning towards Greater so please wait for more experienced birders to comment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jefferson Shank 2,675 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 I like Greater here. Longer upturned bill and in flight shots, it looks like the feet extend beyond the tail instead of just toes. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby D 2 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 Wow. Thanks for that. I am going to see if I have any better shots of the solitary bird that will show the bill to advantage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 4,467 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 6 hours ago, Jefferson Shank said: I like Greater here. Agreed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Leukering 3,313 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 10 hours ago, Jefferson Shank said: it looks like the feet extend beyond the tail instead of just toes. This is backward. Lessers have the longer legs with, typically, quite a bit of the foot proximal to the toes extending beyond the tail tip. Top illustrations, page 166, 2nd-ed Sibley Also strongly suggestive of Greater is that the wing tips barely extend beyond the tail tip; Lesser's extend notably beyond the tail tip. However, this doesn't work very well on juvs. Same field guide, same page. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jefferson Shank 2,675 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 This is backward. Lessers have the longer legs with, typically, quite a bit of the foot proximal to the toes extending beyond the tail tip. Oops... I said that out of my memory without double checking so I must have got some wires crossed somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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