Normally you’d have to place a stick of dynamite under me to get me to leave a perched Golden Eagle but yesterday this rare Upland Sandpiper enticed me to do just that.
Yesterday morning I had hopes of getting some nice take-off shots of this Golden Eagle along the road approaching Golden Spike National Historic Site. It was facing me and the sun angle was about right to give me good light on the bird if it launched. But as I watched it through my lens with a hair trigger on the shutter button I kept hearing a very strange-sounding bird calling fairly close to me. I was temped to look for the source of the sound but I knew if I did the eagle would choose that moment to take off. So I kept my eye and my lens trained on the eagle.
Suddenly Mia, shooting from the back seat of my pickup, urgently said “Back up, back up – rare bird!”. It took me a moment to get my wits about me – leaving a Golden Eagle just isn’t in my genes but Mia knows her birds and I’ve come to trust her judgment so back up I did, even though I couldn’t see the source of the excitement at that angle out my window.
That strange-sounding call was coming from a bird I’d never seen before, perched on top of the power pole right behind us. We hadn’t even seen it as we approached the eagle. Mia recognized it almost immediately as an Upland Sandpiper, a very rare species in Utah. This bird was far out of its normal range and migration route.
The angle was steep, the perch was unattractive and the bird was side-lit but we were both so excited we truly had “buck fever”.
This species is well-known for perching on high posts or poles and raising its wings while it gives its tremulous, whistling call – here’s a link to the distinctive call we were hearing.
The bird often raised its wings and fluttered them slightly, typical behavior for the species. This is one of the few shots where I got light in the eye during the performance.
One time it raised its wings while rousing and I like the textures it provided despite the challenging light angle.
We spent 23 minutes with the sandpiper and during that time Mia reported it to the Utah Bird list serve but eventually we became torn between staying with the bird and leaving it to report it to staff at the nearby Golden Spike National Historic Site visitor center. It was only a mile or two away, some of those folks have become friends over the years and several are very interested in birds so we thought some of them might like to see this rare species. So we left the bird and reported it at the visitor center.
When we returned to look for it the Golden Eagle was perched on another pole very close to where the sandpiper had been and sadly there was no sandpiper to be found. I suspect the eagle may have scared it off. We searched for it for another 20 minutes or so with no luck so we eventually headed for home.
This shot of the sandpiper on the pole shows why the angle was so steep. The pole was on a slight rise next to the road and we were about eye level with its base.
Some background on Upland Sandpipers for those who may be interested:
- Unusual for a shorebird, Upland Sandpipers are completely terrestrial and rarely associated with coastal or wetland habitats.
- This species only spends about 4 months on its breeding grounds in the central and northern plains of North America. The remaining 8 months is spent on its wintering grounds in South America.
- It often takes them only a week or less to reach their wintering grounds so “our” bird is probably far away by now
- These birds were once incredibly numerous on the western plains but loss of habitat and market hunting have drastically reduced their numbers (there were no bag limits or closed seasons and birds were shipped to market by boxcar loads, literally.
- Today, Upland Sandpipers are listed as a species of conservation concern in at least 22 states and Canadian provinces.
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to see this bird. I’m not a traditional birder (I don’t keep lists) but I think I fully understand the thrill most birders get when they see a rare species. The drive home from that area takes 90 minutes and it’s usually a long, boring drive but yesterday we were so excited it was over in a flash!
Ron
Apparently, you, Mia, and I are among the few people who have seen Upland Sandpiper. Mine was in Alaska, in the upland tundra above Eagle River. It only gave me a few distant looks but it was calling persistently.
I reported it to the local bird hotline. Many people went to look for it even though it required a strenuous uphill climb. No one else saw it and so far as I know, no one as seen one in the area since. That was 18 years ago.
This was my only time to see one, John. Ever.
A friend who lived in Alaska used to see them up there. Here’s what she said about it:
“We loved seeing and hearing “Uppies” in Alaska. Got into a flock of adults and recently fledged juveniles once–it was a noisy treat!”
So glad Mia spotted it. Pretty bird. I liked all of your shots. When I played the “call” my kitten started looking around lol. Interesting sound.
I was struck by the subtle beauty and intricate patterns of the bird, Jean, especially underwing but everywhere else too.
Woo Hoo. And happy dances.
How lucky that Mia’s eyes, ears, knowledge were with you.
Lucky I was, EC.
You are channelling Yoda in that comment – which makes me smile.
Well, I think you are definitely a “birder” and now we know for sure that Mia is! I have never seen that particular piper before. And I thank you for including the link to its sounds. That was awesome! And I also loved the eagle shots. It is one of my favorite birds
I guess “birder” depends on your definition, Karen. I’ve always said I’m not one but maybe it’s a matter of degree…
Eagle Eyes McPherson is obviously a real gem and one of the most valuable pieces of equipment at hand–Every bit as valuable as a “Fish Finder”!!! TWO beautiful, elusive birds– on one trip! I had no idea that a shore bird, usually seen running along the sand, would ever roost on something so high. Congratulations on both captures!!! Crazy as I am about goldens, that piper is a beautiful bird….
She’s much better at spotting birds than I am, Patty, especially because my eyesight isn’t what it used to be and I’m always driving and have to watch where I’m going.
You need one of those cars that drive themselves—and then program it to stop for birds!
That “and driving” part is problematic, isn’t it?
Ron,
Your excitement has clearly carried over to today as your forgot to include your camera settings and equipment! I have not seen you do that before. Obviously a great thrill for Mia and you! Congratulations
John, I actually didn’t forget. I simply ran out of time this morning. Here’s the techs for most of these images:
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc
“But the sandpiper was much more than just a consolation prize” – understatement of the day! What a great series of a stunning bird. My brain is doing the happy dance just looking at the pics. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
From your words I can tell that you “get it”, Diane. Thanks very much.
What a lovely bird —and what a beautiful call—I appreciate that you set up an audio link on such an occasion. There’s almost always
some kind of a “prize” awaiting when I open up your blog ! It’s a great way to start my day………thanks !
Sometimes I forget to include audio links when it’s appropriate, Kris. I’m glad I remembered this time.
Fantastic Ron, great find for you both. Kudos to Mia!
I have only seen them twice in my life, both only with bins, so these pics are wonderful!.
I think any self respecting Upland Sandpiper would hurry to leave the vicinity of a Golden Eagle!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Dick.
The eagle may or may not be the reason the sandpiper vamoosed. Before we left the bird the eagle was perched on the very next pole in front of me and the sandpiper didn’t seem particularly concerned about it. But who knows what may have happened after we left.
WHAT FUN! I really enjoyed this and that’s a new species to me so that’s a good thing in my book. :d
I share that same book, Arwen. Thanks.
Excellent! As always… thank you for sharing your Photos, Information & Scene Story.
Thank you, CaJ.
What a wonderful experience! And a beautiful bird. I’m glad Mia is good at recognizing Sandpipers – that’s one group of birds that leaves me totally lost. A couple of days ago we had the experience of seeing a lone Whimbrel on the beach in Duck, NC, a bird I really don’t expect to see there. Saw it last year and was pretty sure what it was; this year my husband caught it beautifully on his video camera so we have proof of what we saw. I think that made it even more exciting than seeing it the first time, probably because we truly can believe we saw it. Even though Golden Eagles are a nemesis bird for you, I think choosing to leave it for the Sandpiper was the right thing to do. I listened to the call, and it is definitely distinctive. I’d imagine you are still smiling over seeing that Sandpiper.
“I’d imagine you are still smiling over seeing that Sandpiper”
I think I smiled in my sleep last night, Susan.
I’ve only had three opportunities with truly rare birds over the years (Gyrfalcon, Mountain Plover and this Upland Sandpiper) and each one was an experience I’ll never forget.
Said with tongue firmly in cheek, thank you for including the golden eagle to prevent me (and many others here) from performing a massive hissy fit if you’d mentioned the golden and DIDN’T include him/her in this missive. I’ll give you a bye for leaving the golden, just this once, since the upland sandpiper is such a rare sighting AND neither you nor I (and most of the rest of us) have ever seen seen it before. 😉
And what a BEAUTY (the golden, too)! The feather detail is outrageously gorgeous. One of the things I ponder regularly is how each feather is an individual pattern that magically combines with all the other individual patterns to form a complete masterpiece of plumage. How do they DO that? Admittedly, I’d rather both of these guys (but especially the golden) would get AWAY from the danger of electrocution immediately, if not sooner. But tall perches are tall perches and raptors insist on using them when they’re there. I’d never have guessed that you would have found a sandpiper that high off the ground! Yet another bunch of new things learned today–YIPPEE!
I just love spending my mornings with you and Mia! You guys are just SPECIAL! THANK YOU!
Laura, the eagle was part of the story so I had to include it!
It kind of broke my heart because I happened to look at the eagle far in front of me as it took off from the pole and it launched in a perfect direction and angle to get nice shots of it in flight with good light on the bird and light in the eye. And obviously I missed those shots.
But the sandpiper was much more than just a consolation prize…
Ron, isn’t that always the way these things happen? The Universe’s timing is oftentimes annoying and I’m timing challenged to begin with–ARGH! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to nudge the sun over just a little bit so I can see whether the redtail hawk I’m watching is an adult or a juvie. I’d return it to its rightful place in just a couple of seconds–I would! But I guess too many others would want to do that and it just wouldn’t be good. We’d never get through the day! 😉
There you go being lucky again! Great find and congratulations to you both! As you say “you never know unless you go”.
“You never know unless you go”.
Yup, that’s exactly my mantra, Neil. We ALMOST went to Bear River instead of the Promontory area – so many vagaries depend on the little decisions we make…
Are there any SEO or BO still in the area? I know the cheese burgers are. snicker.
Neil, haven’t seen a SEO on my last two trips to the area. There’s a few BO’s around but not many opportunities with them.
The cheeseburgers are still to be found in the vicinity though…
How about a CEO???
Wonderful! 🙂 Both birds were more than worthy of your attention and you got some great shots of the Upland Sandpiper. 🙂 Always fun to have something new and unexpected (on the good side) cross your path. 🙂
“Unexpected” is right, Judy. Finding an Upland Sandpiper was furthest from my mind, that’s for sure.
What a sweet story…and excellent photos to help us see what you saw. Nice way to start the day 🙂 Congrats on the find.
Thanks very much, Zaphir. It was a morning to remember!