BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, EAGLE LAKES COMMUNITY PARK, NAPLES, FL

PIPING PLOVER, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

   We can ID this plover as a Piping Plover as follows:

• Small and stocky with short and thick bill.
• Dull gray-brown above and white below.
• Orange legs.
• Dark eye isolated on pale face.
• The nonbreeding Piping Plover has an all black bill.  This bill is starting at the base to turn the orange of the breeding plover.

NONBREEDING DUNLIN, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

   We can ID this sandpiper as a nonbreeding Dunlin as follows:

• Long, black slightly drooping bill.
• Dark grey legs.
• Grey-brown above and white underneath.

NONBREEDING RED KNOT, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

   We can ID these two sandpipers as Red Knots as follows:

• Apperance: heavy bodied, stout appearance, small head and short neck.
• Dark barring on flanks.
• Pale gray upperside and head and white belly.
• Black bill.
• White eyebrow.

   The Red Knot is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 273.

NONBREEDING WILLET IN WATER & IN FLIGHT, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

      We can ID this bird as a Willet as follows:

• Long, thick grey bill on large shorebird.
• Short white eyebrow.
• Grey legs
• Bird in flight shows striking black and white on wing.

BALD EAGLE IN FLIGHT, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

DOWITCHER, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

   It's very difficult to differentiate the Long-billed Dowager from the Short-billed Dowager.  It is most likely a Short-billed Dowager, as they prefer mud flats on the coast, while Long-billed Dowagers prefer fresh water, but we can't be sure.