[Tweeters] Fwd: Notes on Hudsonian Godwit in Tokeland

[Sally Alhadeff]

Posting for Paul Hicks. 


Sally

Begin forwarded message:

From: Paul Hicks <paulhicks7373 at gmail.com>
Date: September 2, 2023 at 12:59:24 PM PDT
To: Sally Alhadeff <sallya at scattercreek.com>
Subject: Notes on Hudsonian Godwit in Tokeland


Thanks, Sally!
====================
Notes on Hudsonian Godwit in Tokeland

Tweets,

Some observations of Hudsonian Godwit on Friday, September 1 at the Tokeland Marina: Overall gray and noticeably smaller than Marbleds (and Bar-taileds) with more contrasty pale supercilium. From the rear the tail is obviously solid black with no barring on tail-side (different from other godwits’ alternate dark bars on pale background). Fairly fine, curved barring on lower flanks behind thighs. During a very brief wing-flip I saw the white rump. Good view of upperparts: Has a “feathered” appearance (sizable feathers laying down) in comparison with the “marbled” or spotted appearance of Marbleds. Some of the larger feathers had a darker center; nearly all were fringed with a dull rufous or warm brown -- probably highlighted some by the close-to-setting sunlight (2 hours before sunset). Other birders (eg Kameron Lantor) note that the black underwing is the most distinctive field mark in flight. Timing: Mid-tide, either rising or falling, is the best time for close-up viewing of the feeding godwits (per Bill Shelmerdine). Friday the godwit flock left the breakwater (where they rest during high tide) at 5:55pm to feed on the exposed shore in front of the marina office. This was 3 hours after a relatively high high tide of 9 ft, when the tide had receded to a mid-tide level of 4.5 feet. For some reason this Hudsonian is apparently not always present with the other godwits, or at least not reported. Last Tuesday less than a third of our group of 15 spotted it among the hundreds of Marbleds.

Good birding!
Paul Hicks
Tenino/St George, Utah
paulhicks7373 AT gmail DOT com

 

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