Might a pair of Common Sandpipers roost in a low bush inland

[Deb London]

At dusk tonight two birds flew inland from the direction of a reservoir. One landed not too far from me, on an aeroplane runway, with a bit of a 'rapid tilting action' just before it landed. It looked similar to a Common Sandpiper (but it was getting very dark by then). I'm almost certain that there was white underneath each wing. The 'pair' flew off over the field and landed in a single lone hawthorn (or similar) at the field edge, presumably to roost. For various reasons I wasn't willing to get nearer.

Might Common Sandpipers behave like this? Or is there a better suggestion as to the ID of these birds?

Thanks.

[Gatekeeper]

Hi Deb,

Have you considered the possiblity of them being Woodcock? This was the bird that immediately came to mind when I read your description.

[theresa dockery]

Did they make any kind of call?

I've never seen a Sandpiper land in a tree (not that it's impossible or anything) or Woodcock for that matter (they usually roost on the ground, as far as I am aware). I was going to suggest Lapwing (but also, I've never seen one in a tree/bush).

My best suggestion is....Pied/White Wagtails?
They are very fond of reservoirs & are often found in pairs. They do a lot of 'tail wagging' and body-tilting. Also, they are white underneath and darker on top (in the dusk - similar to sandpiper?). They are very similar to Common Sandpiper in body length (though sandpiper is much heavier).

[diggleken]

Hi Debs, size will help us!
Common sands - never seen them in a tree.........................
Waggies sounds like a good bet.
Cheers
Ken

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Deb London

I'm almost certain that there was white underneath each wing. The 'pair' flew off over the field and landed in a single lone hawthorn (or similar) at the field edge, presumably to roost. For various reasons I wasn't willing to get nearer.

Might Common Sandpipers behave like this? Or is there a better suggestion as to the ID of these birds?

Thanks.

No but Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush would and both have prominent white armpits

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h_qHrMSqk5...fare-10x15.jpg

Galleriet - Netfugl.dk

Galleriet - Netfugl.dk

(perhaps a little more closer in size and colour gizz to a Common Sand than a pied wagtail!)

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by theresa dockery

They are very similar to Common Sandpiper in body length (though sandpiper is much heavier).

'body length' given in field guides usually includes the tail length - which on a wagtail accounts for nearly 50% of the length given. On the other hand, Common Sands have a very short tail cf. to body size.

Galleriet - Netfugl.dk

Galleriet - Netfugl.dk

Always worth remembering when using fieldguides to compare sizes between birds.

[theresa dockery]

Originally Posted by Picidae

'body length' given in field guides usually includes the tail length - which on a wagtail accounts for nearly 50% of the length given. On the other hand, Common Sands have a very short tail cf. to body size.

Always worth remembering when using fieldguides to compare sizes between birds.

True, the Mistle Thrush/Fieldfare are definitely a closer match in colour, but the Pied/White Wagtail is probably a better fit weight-wise than either thrush.

It's difficult to accurately judge the size of briefly viewed birds flying about at dusk, unless they're next to a fence-post/other bird of known size - so concise measurements of size aren't so important.

Anyway, so far we don't know the actual tail length OR the actual bird-length (or weight for that matter ), all we know is that it was roughly sandpiper-sized!

Deb, you need to give us more details - at the moment they could be almost anything!

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by theresa dockery

It's difficult to accurately judge the size of briefly viewed birds flying about at dusk, unless they're next to a fence-post/other bird of known size - so concise measurements of size aren't so important.

Anyway, so far we don't know the actual tail length OR the actual bird-length (or weight for that matter ), all we know is that it was roughly sandpiper-sized!

Agreed - precise measurements aren't important but it helps to know what the measurements are referring to exactly - especially if you, as you apparently are, relying on book measurements rather than field experience to cf the sizes of a Common Sand and Wagtail

Look as this photo comparison and you'll see what I mean! A wagtail looks nothing like the size of a Common Sand in the field (despite the overall length including tail, being not much shorter in length) - the length of the bird does not necessarily equate with body mass/size - a Long-tailed Tit is roughly the same length as a Little Stint but we all know they are much smaller in body mass!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/...387eb2a80c.jpg

Not sure why you are bringing weight into it as this is not usually a field identification criteria and something that only becomes relevant in the hand? (and usually most people don't have that reference in their field guides)

[theresa dockery]

Originally Posted by Picidae

Agreed - precise measurements aren't important but it helps to know what the measurements are referring to exactly - especially if you, as you apparently are, relying on book measurements rather than field experience to cf the sizes of a Common Sand and Wagtail

Calm down, don't take things so seriously - woah!

I have actually seen both birds in the field countless times - I wouldn't need a book to tell me that a Common Sandpiper is much heavier than a Pied Wagtail - but as I mentioned before (and as you have admitted yourself), we don't know the actual size, so this is not really important.

They are still similar in size, ie more similar than say - a Mallard & a Common Sandpiper, or (dare I say it) a Mistle thrush & a Common Sandpiper. You're the one that brought precise measurements into this.

Originally Posted by Picidae

Look as this photo comparison and you'll see what I mean! A wagtail looks nothing like the size of a Common Sand in the field

And neither does a Mistle Thrush

Originally Posted by Picidae

Not sure why you are bringing weight into it as this is not usually a field identification criteria and something that only becomes relevant in the hand? (and usually most people don't have that reference in their field guides)

I think you will remember that you were the one to bring 'size' into the discussion and it's a bit silly to talk about 'body mass' & 'size' and then think that weight is irrelevant...or are some birds denser than others?

What do you want?? I'm not trying to compete with you. I'm not even sure if you are aware of it but you come across a little pugnacious. You also seem to be getting inordinately het up about this

I came here to meet people who are interested in wildlife/natural history - not to make enemies...I hope that's not where this is headed

Pied Wagtail was only a suggestion - Deb may well think 'pfff, I know what a Pied Wagtail looks like, and they looked nothing like that'!

We don't have much to go on, and neither of us have even seen the bird!

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by theresa dockery

Calm down, don't take things so seriously - woah!

I have actually seen both birds in the field countless times - I wouldn't need a book to tell me that a Common Sandpiper is much heavier than a Pied Wagtail - but as I mentioned before (and as you have admitted yourself), we don't know the actual size, so this is not really important.

They are still similar in size, ie more similar than say - a Mallard & a Common Sandpiper, or (dare I say it) a Mistle thrush & a Common Sandpiper. You're the one that brought precise measurements into this.



And neither does a Mistle Thrush



I think you will remember that you were the one to bring 'size' into the discussion and it's a bit silly to talk about 'body mass' & 'size' and then think that weight is irrelevant...or are some birds denser than others?

What do you want?? I'm not trying to compete with you. I'm not even sure if you are aware of it but you come across a little pugnacious. You also seem to be getting inordinately het up about this

I came here to meet people who are interested in wildlife/natural history - not to make enemies...I hope that's not where this is headed

Pied Wagtail was only a suggestion - Deb may well think 'pfff, I know what a Pied Wagtail looks like, and they looked nothing like that'!

We don't have much to go on, and neither of us have even seen the bird!

Good grief.... me calm down?

Agree, ID is not possible without more details.

Also, I agree, a Mallard is much much bigger than a Common Sandpiper