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

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52 comments:

  1. Manav SinghiJune 4, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    Nice Clicks. . .

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  2. KateJune 4, 2013 at 6:31 AM

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

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  3. Buttons ThoughtsJune 4, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    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

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  4. LowellJune 4, 2013 at 8:30 AM

    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!

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  5. The CrankyJune 4, 2013 at 8:36 AM

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

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  6. UnknownJune 4, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    I like this birds! Really!

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  7. DarlaJune 4, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    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.

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  8. IndraniJune 4, 2013 at 9:51 AM

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

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  9. TexWisGirlJune 4, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    would love to see both of these!

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  10. MadSnapperJune 4, 2013 at 10:02 AM

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

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  11. Taken For GrantedJune 4, 2013 at 10:20 AM

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

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  12. KarenJune 4, 2013 at 10:56 AM

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

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  13. Gail DixonJune 4, 2013 at 10:58 AM

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

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  14. JennyJune 4, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    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.

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  15. CabinGirlJune 4, 2013 at 11:04 AM

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

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  16. JudyJune 4, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    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!

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  17. JeanneJune 4, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Absolutely love these shots! Great capture!

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  18. Ruth HiebertJune 4, 2013 at 11:30 AM

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

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  19. PerthDailyPhotoJune 4, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    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!

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  20. UnknownJune 4, 2013 at 12:42 PM

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

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  21. kayerjJune 4, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    great shots. I really like the 2nd.

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  22. HansHBJune 4, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    A very good bird post!

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  23. MaggidJune 4, 2013 at 1:42 PM

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

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  24. AnonymousJune 4, 2013 at 2:08 PM

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

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  25. DimpleJune 4, 2013 at 2:10 PM

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

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  26. i stora dragJune 4, 2013 at 3:02 PM

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

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  27. FABJune 4, 2013 at 3:03 PM

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

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  28. Hootin AnniJune 4, 2013 at 3:06 PM

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

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  29. Brian KingJune 4, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    Love those Ruddy Turnstones! Beautiful photos!

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  30. Small City ScenesJune 4, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    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

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  31. DaveJune 4, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    brilliant post - 2 lifers together, happy days indeed

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  32. FOREST SNAPPERJune 4, 2013 at 4:42 PM

    thats some great photos.

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  33. theconstantwalkerJune 4, 2013 at 4:44 PM

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

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  34. RedPatJune 4, 2013 at 4:48 PM

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

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  35. mickJune 4, 2013 at 4:51 PM

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

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  36. thewovenspokeJune 4, 2013 at 5:08 PM

    Wonderful shots, those ruddy turnstones are beautiful.

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  37. NatureFootstepJune 4, 2013 at 5:11 PM

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

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  38. Carole M.June 4, 2013 at 5:12 PM

    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

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  39. eileeninmdJune 4, 2013 at 5:45 PM

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

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  40. Esther JoyJune 4, 2013 at 8:47 PM

    What great shots! and what a long bill!

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  41. JackJune 4, 2013 at 8:53 PM

    Interesting birds. The turnstones are not at all familiar.

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  42. ArijaJune 4, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    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 . . .

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  43. CarlettaJune 4, 2013 at 11:52 PM

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

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  44. UnknownJune 5, 2013 at 1:17 AM

    Excellent series!

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  45. ZosiaJune 5, 2013 at 4:05 AM

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

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  46. RoseJune 5, 2013 at 7:21 AM

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

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  47. SheyJune 5, 2013 at 7:41 PM

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

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  48. Kerri FarleyJune 5, 2013 at 8:10 PM

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

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  49. AnonymousJune 6, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    Congratulations! Lovely shots of the shorebirds.

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  50. AnonymousJune 6, 2013 at 1:52 PM

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

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  51. AnonymousJune 6, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Congrats on the lifers! Your turnstone photos are great!

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  52. Susan AndersonJune 6, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    Makes me excited for our beach trip next month.

    =)

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