Peeps!

[okaugust]

Welcoming back our returning northern breeding peeps to the Oregon coast, oh joy for those not in breeding plumage. Just when I think I know what they are all, the self doubt rears itself.

Nehalem Bay State Park, OR 7/29/2023

Like suspects are Western and Least, which I think I've got nailed down. Possible Semipalmated Sandpiper in the mix is causing me to question everything.

1. Slight rusty coloring on the wing, but no chevrons, black legs, longer bill, a little droopy...Western?

 

2. slightly smaller bird, yellowish legs, shorter, stubbier bill, no drop, Least?

3./4. same bird, no good shots really, first is blurry and second the head is turned. But thinking Western...

 

[AlexHenry]

1 is Western

2 is Semipalmated

I’ll pass on the last one

[AlexHenry]

Semipalmated might not be rare in Oregon, but probably at least pretty good, right?

[DLecy]

3 minutes ago, AlexHenry said:

Semipalmated might not be rare in Oregon, but probably at least pretty good, right?

FWIW, the filter in that county is set to 5 SESA from Jun 29 - Oct 4, and zero the rest of the year.

[okaugust]

5 hours ago, AlexHenry said:

Semipalmated might not be rare in Oregon, but probably at least pretty good, right?

All birds are good birds another birder once told me, lol, but yes, it's a pretty good one too! It's not a lifer or a state bird, but having moved from the Mountain West to the PacNW, everything I used to see more often is rare, and vice versa, it feels like, so it's like seeing an old friend. 🙂

5 hours ago, DLecy said:

FWIW, the filter in that county is set to 5 SESA from Jun 29 - Oct 4, and zero the rest of the year.

If you look at range maps, they aren't supposed to be here, generally, but funny enough I did trip over one in late July in the area two years ago too. So it must be a migration thing. At least 2-3 have popped up and different places along the coast here in the last few days.

Thanks all, as usual, excellent help!