NONBREEDING DUNLIN, BUNCHE BEACH, FORT MYERS, FL

LITTLE BLUE HERON, BUNCHE BEACH, FORT MYERS, FL

NONBREEDING WESTERN SANDPIPER, BUNCHE BEACH, FORT MYERS, FL, 1/18/17

   We can ID this sandpiper as a nonbreeding Western Sandpiper by its small size (estimated at 6" +-); black legs; relatively long (especially compared to similar looking nonbreeding Semipalmated Sandpiper) , broad at base, slightly downcurved, black bill and gray-brown back.  Also in southern Florida during the winter you are unlikely to see a Semipalmated Sandpiper (you see them during migration), while a Western Sandpiper is fairly common.

   The Western Sandpiper is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 514.

NONBREEDING RING-BILLED GULL, BUNCHE BEACH, FORT MYERS, FL

ROYAL TERN IN FLIGHT, BUNCHE BEACH, FORT MYERS, FL

NONBREEDING ROYAL TERNS, BUNCHE BEACH, FORT MYERS, FL

BLACK SKIMMERS, BUNCHE BEACH, FORT MYERS, FL