Toronto isn’t a great place to see sandpipers. You have to drive about 90 minutes east to Presqu’ile Provincial Park near Brighton during migration to see a good variety of species. Here are some photos of that park taken in May 2020.
Our only common sandpiper in the Toronto area during warmer months is the Spotted Sandpiper.
While walking about today at Humber Bay, I found a sandpiper some distance away by the lake and took photos assuming that it was a Spotted Sandpiper.
However, the darker back with white specks and the white eye ring identify this as Solitary Sandpiper. This bird is already on the way south from its breeding ground in Northern Ontario.
MYSTERY BIRD
I will identify it at the end of the post.
Other birds:
MYSTERY BIRD
The yellow legs identify this as a Yellowlegs. There are Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. This is a Lesser.
NATURE POETRY
The sandpipers trip on the glassy beach,
Ready to mount and fly;
Whenever a ripple reaches their feet
They rise with a timorous cry.Take care, they pipe, take care, take care,
For this is a treacherous main,
And though you may sail so deftly out,
You may never come home again. – Duncan Scott
Miles Hearn
I enjoy your posts so much. Love these pictures, especially the Sandpiper with the twig in his foot.
Loretta guran
Stunning pictures,as always. I especially loved the Sandpiper with the twig in his foot. Hard to believe he is migrating south now.
Beautiful bird pictures! On the news last night, they showed HOARDS of Sandpipers on a beach in New Brunswick, resting and feasting on tide-born edibles before their trip to South American. Thanks, Miles!