Red Knot or Short-billed Dowitcher

[okaugust]

 April 28th, 2023

Wireless Rd - which is this wacky little farm road just south of Astoria, OR that is along Youngs Bay where they sometimes spread fish guts on the grassland (though haven't this year), and the potholes of water and grazed pasture attract a fantastic assortment of birds.

Red Knot has been reported here 2-3 days this last week. I've been out 3 times hoping to spot it without luck. There are a lot of dowitchers right now, primarily Short-billed, about half of which are showing good breeding plumage with coloring similar to the Red Knot. I've been ruling out most of what I see based on bill length and lighter coloring along the sides of the head. Unfortunately this one has its bill sunk deep into the mud. It's the only shot I have of this particular bird.

About the time I have myself convinced it a Red Knot, I change my mind and decide it's a Dowitcher. Then repeat that in reverse. Both of the birds are newer to my purview in the last year, with Red Knots more so, and I'm just not that familiar with either to rule them out I suppose.

Thank you in advance!

Note: I haven't adjusted the color on either of these, just one cropped and the other original. There is another bird right behind it that is likely a dowitcher, which should be enough to tell me this is probably one as well. The recent reports don't have photos accompanying.

 

Edited April 30 by okaugust

[MichaelLong]

Dowitcher

[okaugust]

Thanks!

Wishful thinking on my part. 🙂

The quest continues!

[Colton V]

It looks like Fort Stevens gets decent numbers of Knots in mid-to-late May, so I think you’ll get them soon. 

[okaugust]

1 hour ago, Colton V said:

It looks like Fort Stevens gets decent numbers of Knots in mid-to-late May, so I think you’ll get them soon. 

I staked out there too for a couple of hours yesterday, both in the little bay area then walking to the jetty and back. One was spotted there the day before, but even though I had dowitchers practically walking around me all over as the tide went out, no luck on a Red Knot in the mix. I love any excuse to keep looking though, lol, and it's a great spot.

Edited April 30 by okaugust