A spotted sandpiper was observed by Pat Mattson on May 20,2000 It was seen on the muddy shore of open water (Millstone Brook), beyond the point where the brook crosses beneath the access road (see Wetlands Map.)
The bird appeared
to be probing for food in the area near the shoreline and was also
vocalizing. Its "voice" has sometimes been described as sounding like
pee-weet-weet-weet-weet.
The spotted sandpiper is classified as a "shorebird." A summer resident in temperate climates, it is the most common sandpiper seen along the shores of streams and lakes, often bobbing and dipping as it picks up invertebrates near the water's edges. It breeds in these locations, constructing nests that are frequently concealed by low plant growth.
The spotted sandpiper has an interesting and unusual mating system. Females establish a breeding territory, and compete for males - a gender reversal of the behavior which normally occurs in bird species. The first egg clutch which the female lays is left to be incubated by the male, while she seeks to attract one or more other males. If she is successful, the males will incubate additional clutches within the female's territory. She provides no care for the offspring.
Spotted sandpipers winter in the
southern U.S. and South America. They leave for these destinations in
the late summer or fall, but do not congregrate in migratory flocks.
Credits: The
photograph of the spotted sandpiper was taken by Scott Robinson and
is located on the web site Illinois Birds.
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