Documentation of
Lesser Yellowlegs
2013-301
Observer Information
Reporter:
Kat Bradley Bennett
Other Observers:
none;
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Lesser Yellowlegs
First Date/Time:
4/17/2013
Last Date/Time:
Duration (total time in view):
2 minutes
County:
Boulder
Specific Location:
East of Blue Mountain Elementary School
1260 Mountain Dr Longmont, CO 80503
Number:
2
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
Ditch running through open space, former ag land (cattle). Ditch corridor contains cattails, grasses, Russian Olive, and willows.
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
Eagle Optics 8X32 Ranger binoculars
Distance:
100
Light:
Overcast
Description of the Bird
Long yellow legs. Head and neck had grayish streaking that continued down the sides a bit, belly white. Back mottled. Beak pointed, dark, about 3 inches or so long, darker at the tip than the base. When the birds flew, there was a flash of white from the tail.
Behaviors: The birds were feeding in a ditch along the east side of Blue Mountain Elementary School on 4/17 and 4/18/13 at about 8 AM. When they flushed, they flew eastward together, giving a two-note TOO-TOO alarm call.
Unfortunately, I spooked these two before I could get my camera ready. I will look for them tomorrow more stealthily!
Call: Two-note alarm in flight: TOO-TOO, TOO-TOO
Plumage: Adult
Similar Species Discussion
Greater Yellowlegs: Too large and vocalization all wrong
Spotted Sandpiper: Too large for Spotted, belly too white, beak too dark, vocalization all wrong.
Resources Used
Peterson Guide to Western Birds
Audubon Bird app for Droid
Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds website
Golden Guide to Western Birds
Previous Experience
I am very familiar with this species. I lived along the coastline of Rhode Island for six years, where both Lesser and Greaters are common in salt marshes. I have also occasionally seen the Lesser here in Boulder County at various locations, most notably, the lake called Little Gaynor, south of Longmont.
Notes
Memory
Additional Information
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
4/18/2013 1:15:00 PM