Thursday, May 6, 2010

Sandy, the spotted sandpiper

sandpiper 

We do a variety of things to attract birds to our property with special feeders for goldfinches, orioles, woodpeckers, and a general seed feeder. We also like to make sure birds have places to live or at least perch.

Our latest creation is an Islandscapes floating island planter.  It is a small planter about 2x3 feet with a few aquatic plants. We were surprised to see a spotted sandpiper on it the first day.  Here's a photo of Sandy, the spotted sandpiper.  We actually don't know if it's a male or female, so Sandy works for both.  At times there have been two sandpipers on the island at one time, and one evening it looked like they were settling down to spend the night. 

We love going to small, private islands ourselves, so we're glad we enticed these little sandpipers to enjoy the little private island we created.  We never guessed they would be our first visitors.  We'll be keeping our eyes on this to see if turtles, cormorants, ducks or kingfishers are also attracted to it.

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Anonymous Tammy said...

I always love seeing some birds in my garden. They will attracted in trees and various plants with fruits on it. It seems paradise. :D

November 23, 2011 at 7:55 PM  

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posted by Chris and Mike at

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Shore Birds from SoCal

Spotted Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper


Long-Billed Curlew
Long-Billed Curlew


Long-Billed Curlew
Long-Billed Curlew


American Avocet
American Avocet


Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs

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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Spotted Sandpiper



We weren't sure who this was. Maybe a type of sandpiper, plover or sanderling. It stands on logs or the side of the lake and flies close to the water.

Thanks to tib78 for the comment! It's a Spotted Sandpiper. The lack of spots is what was throwing us. But I see in the field guide now that the juveniles lack the breast spots and have a darker bill.

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Anonymous tib78 said...

Hi,
it's a spotted sandpiper (actitis macularia)

August 26, 2008 at 4:41 PM  

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posted by Chris and Mike at

Monday, June 16, 2008

Spotted Sandpiper

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