Dowitchers are known for their sewing-machine like feeding habit as their bills probe the soft mud and sand in the areas they habituate. Apparently the name comes from an Iroquois word although another explanation has it that it may be a corruption of a word used by immigrant German hunters on Long Island - deutscher referring to it as German Snipe to distinguish it from the English (Common) Snipe.
The plovers and yellowlegs were having a good day locating and pulling worms from the marsh mud.
I haven't spent enough time at the lake this year to know but I've heard there are fewer terns there this year. I did see quite a few fishing off the beach one day and there have been adults feeding young ones so it seems they are still nesting somewhere close by.
This is not a species I see very often. I have mixed feelings about seeing them, they are interesting little birds, usually only found individually on this coast and mixing with the other peep which are a little smaller in comparison except for the White-rumped which are similar in size. The longer primary feathers which extend beyond the tail is one good field mark although shared by the White-rumped. The Baird's being browner in colour. This is probably a juvenile bird. My mixed feelings stem from the fact that I destroyed a previous favourite camera trying to photograph one.
Last time I was at the beach there were lots of Turnstones there as well as many of the usual suspects. I need to get back there for another photo session soon while the weather is still favourable.
