Spotted or Solitary?

photo by MURRAY HEAD, who entitled it "Questionable Sandpiper"

Murray sent in the photo above with a quote from Tom Fiore's report posted yesterday:

"Spotted Sandpipers also have begun to reappear & there will likely be other new southbound migrants in the coming week."

Murray's note continued:

"I spotted a solitary sandpiper last week on the west side of the Point... but I don't know if he is Spotted."

Here's my answer to Murray, who is a great photographer but an insecure birdwatcher:

Murray, the back of the sandpiper in your beautiful photo is a plain brown color. That's what the Spotted Sandpiper looks like in the fall, even when it is solitary. The back of the Solitary Sandpiper both in the spring and the fall is spotted [with small white spots]!

PS There are a few other differences between the two species...

Tom's report: 6 warbler species and more

Tennessee Warbler -- Central Park 9/24/07
Photo by LLOYD SPITALNIK

On the first day of August, our faithful correspondent Tom Fiore reports on fall migrants in Central Park, both in the Ramble and the North Woods:


Hi Marie,

With July at it's end and a change - for the better - in weather, on northerly winds, a number of migrants are coming back. Among them are: Tennessee Warbler (Great Hill, Saturday 7/31), Blue-winged Warbler (Friday, 7/30) and Black-and-white Warblers (2 on Saturday in 2 locations), as well as a bit of an increase in Northern Waterthrushes, the two at the Lower Lobe aka Wagner Cove being an example & just half of their numbers seen by me on Saturday, & also the American Redstarts and Yellow Warblers are being seen in a few locations too. There were also a good number of Chimney Swifts moving over by Saturday - as many as forty in just one high extended flock. Spotted Sandpipers also have begun to reappear & there will likely be other new southbound migrants in the coming week.

Best,
Tom