Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Two Lifers/Wild Birds

 Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

It was a soggy day last Thursday and the birds - interesting ones - were scarce. Until we saw this whimbrel on the beach in Cobourg...

 Ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres)

and a flock of ruddy turnstones. While the Canada goose (far right) is certainly common here,  the whimbrel and turnstones were merely traveling through, so we were lucky to see and photograph them.

The whimbrels that pass over the Great Lakes winter in the Caribbean and South America, and they breed in coastal areas close to Hudson's Bay.

 Closeup of ruddy turnstones

These ruddy turnstones winter on the coasts of South America and the Caribbean, and they breed in the High Arctic.

Can you guess why they are called turnstones? When looking for food, they often flip stones to see what's under them.

All but the goose were shy; The whimbrel saw me and flew to the other end of the beach. The turnstones saw me,..

Ruddy turnstones flying

circled the harbour and landed at the other end of the beach. Hmmm. I wonder if I ought to take that personally!

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

52 comments:

Manav Singhi said...

Nice Clicks. . .

Kate said...

I love not only the photos but also the information you include. Love their beaks!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I love these photos and the fact that they flip the stones is fascinating I did not know that.
I would so drove to Cobourg to see you:) That is my very favourite place to go lots of good memories lie there. Hug B

Lowell said...

At first I thought those ruddy things were baby Canadian gooses! But nooooo! I've never even heard of ruddy turnstones. I've seen some cruddy tombstones, though.

They're cute. Great shot of them flying!

The Cranky said...

These are so beautiful, especially the ruddy turnstones, and I always enjoy reading the information you include.

Unknown said...

I like this birds! Really!

Darla said...

Oh boy, more new to me birds. I really like that flock of Ruddy turnstones. I would be fun to watch them looking for dinner.

Indrani said...

How mother nature equips them with features to find their food.
Love this series.

TexWisGirl said...

would love to see both of these!

MadSnapper said...

i love that amazing shot with all of them together...

Taken For Granted said...

These are beautiful birds that I don't get to see living here on the prairie, except for the Canada goose. Great photos.

Karen said...

You were at the right place at the right time! The ruddy turnstones have beautiful markings.

Gail Dixon said...

Lucky you! At least you got some good pics before they flew off. How exciting to see two lifers in one day!

Jenny said...

What beautiful birds! Always special to catch a glimpse of the migrating ones as they move through. Really like the photo with the whimbrel, turnstones and goose -they all seem to be getting along well.

CabinGirl said...

Nice finds! Love the turnstones in their breeding plumage, I've only seen in their winter colors.

Judy said...

The goose is the only one of these birds that I have seen here. I love the picture of all three types of birds together on the beach doing....whatever birds do. I love to come to your blog and learn new things about wildlife!

Jeanne said...

Absolutely love these shots! Great capture!

Ruth Hiebert said...

No need to take their leaving personally.You got good pictures before they left.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

The Whimbrels have the most amazingly long beaks, all the better for...what! Come on EG now I know all about the habits of the Ruddy Turnstones :) is it for fossicking for sand creatures..just a mad guess haha!

Unknown said...

Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

kayerj said...

great shots. I really like the 2nd.

HansHB said...

A very good bird post!

Maggid said...

Your Work is Stunning . .
Thank you for sharing with us.
-g-

Anonymous said...

Congrats CG on your new lifer additions.
Your captures are awesome! thanks for sharing these beauties.

Dimple said...

I love birds, but am not "up" on most waterfowl. Love the last shot!

i stora drag said...

So interesting to see those birds, especially the turnstones! Never seen any of those!
/Pia

FAB said...

These are two species I know very well. Nice shots.

Hootin Anni said...

I especially like the bunches of turnstones and the one lone Canadian Goose.

Brian King said...

Love those Ruddy Turnstones! Beautiful photos!

Small City Scenes said...

Great shots. Good for you for adding to your Bird knowledge. I have seen the Ruddy Turnstone but not the Whimbrel. I will though!!! MB

Dave said...

brilliant post - 2 lifers together, happy days indeed

FOREST SNAPPER said...

thats some great photos.

theconstantwalker said...

Well done on seeing the newbies... fantastic images.

RedPat said...

It's amazing how different they look in flight - so sleek! Fabulous pics and post, EG.

mick said...

Great photos. We see Whimbrel and Ruddy Turnstone here in Australia also - but in non-breeding colors.

thewovenspoke said...

Wonderful shots, those ruddy turnstones are beautiful.

NatureFootstep said...

those vaders is such beautiful birds and we don´t have them. To bad. Your shots really show what they look like. :)

Carole M. said...

fabulous birds; it pays to go out on a miserable day too - the birds still have to eat. I especially love ALL the ruddy turnstones; fabulous photos

eileeninmd said...

They are both great birds. I would like to see the whimbrel up close. Congrats on your lifers. Wonderful shots!

Esther Joy said...

What great shots! and what a long bill!

Jack said...

Interesting birds. The turnstones are not at all familiar.

Arija said...

Choose a different deodorant, that'll do the trick :)
The shot with all three species is the kind one would love to see in a bird book, it illustrates the size a lot better than a measurement in inches. Love those little courageous turnstones that fly all that way to breed in the Arctic. The Whimbrel is one I have never seen before even in a picture, so thanks for showing it and congratulations on your two lifers. Hope they keep coming for you is pairs . . .

Carletta said...

Wonderful shots! Congrats on the lifers.
Lovely in-flight shot!
I agree with Arija but the goose looks so out of place. :)

Unknown said...

Excellent series!

Zosia said...

Ornithological heaven. I don't think I've ever seen ruddy turnstones. They are very pretty.

Rose said...

Wow...bet you were excited. I had not heard of either one.

Shey said...

Looks like an enjoyable day. Lovely captures esp the flight photo of turnstones.

Kerri Farley said...

Fabulous shots! I've never seen either of these in person. And you got two in one day. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Lovely shots of the shorebirds.

Anonymous said...

Great captures. I always love coming here to see the birds you have. They are often ones I've never heard of.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the lifers! Your turnstone photos are great!

Susan Anderson said...

Makes me excited for our beach trip next month.

=)

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.