SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, NONQUON SEWAGE LAGOONS, PORT PERRY, ON

   We can ID these sandpipers as Semipalmated Sandpipers, most likely juveniles, as follows:

• Black, straighg, tubular, thick at base, blunt-tipped bill which is significantly shorter than head width.  The Western Sandpiper, which it can be confused with, generally has a longer (same length as head width), slightly drooping, pointed bill.
• Black legs.
• Dark cap.
• Short neck.
• Gray-brown on top and white underneath.
• The dingy breast band together with the scaly upperparts indicate they are probably  juveniles.

   The Semipalmated Sandpiper is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 311.