UPS has Delivered!!!

This post is entirely dedicated to ONE species.   The Sandpiper I've been 'chasing' for way over two years and finally, Bud spotted them in the parkland outskirts of Corpus Christi this Spring. At first there were four, then eleven, then fifteen! My attempt at getting photos was nixed...when I got home the images were mostly blurred.  None good enough to add to my framed images on the wall at home.  I then returned to the park, alone, and thankfully there were three of the birds remaining in the grassy fields. And....luckily they had moved closer to the park road where I could use my zoom from the car window without scaring them away too far from me. Here is the all elusive Upland Sandpiper. I now endearingly call 'em....UPS -U P land Sandpiper...they finally delivered the perfect package!!

UPLAND SANDPIPER

photos taken: Bill Witt City Park - between Corpus Christ & Flour Bluff, Texas

habitat range: Sandpiper

TRIVIA:

The Upland Sandpiper is nicknamed the "Shorebird of the Prairies"

Their population is declining since the 19th century

Several older versions of bird guides have them named "Upland Plovers"

Also known as Bartram's Sandpiper

When disturbed or threatened, upland Sandpipers will run a short distance and "freeze" in an attempt to blend into surrounding habitat and confuse a predator.

Added to Protected Species List -Federal - Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Sometimes I've been lucky at finding a rare bird on the very first day out searching, like the Painted Redstart. Other times, not so lucky...it took me three trips to Bishop Texas to find the Black Phoebe. And the several attempts spotting the Bartailed Godwit a few years back. Okay, now I have found and photographed the sandpiper after the longest 'hunt' yet! It's kinda like the Cerulean Warbler last year when I found that one... wanting to actually see a particular bird; hoping for something so badly for so long and once you have it, you're lost at what to do next [no I'm not gonna be disinterested in the sandpiper just 'cause I got my photo]. But, there are still others I continue to search for....the rare Aplomado Falcon which has been reintroduced to Mustang Island, the Spotted Towhee which is considered a rarity in my part of the globe, and another species comes to mind that I 'grew up with' when living as a youngster in Colorado...the yellow headed blackbird. The YHBB is here by a few numbers during Spring Migration. Maybe I will see one again sometime.  It's all called.........birding!!!

Now share your birding experiences:










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