Upland Sandpiper
April 20, 2017
Upland Sandpiper
Bartramia longicauda
by Paul Cianfaglione
The Upland Sandpiper, a champion long-distant migrant from southern South America, is a declining breeder in Connecticut. Unlike other sandpipers, the Upland Sandpiper favors dry, grassy habitats rather than wetlands. Grasslands, which were once abundant in the northeastern United States, are now rapidly disappearing due to overdevelopment.
Where to find it: The best time to locate an Upland Sandpiper in Connecticut is when the species is en route to its northerly breeding grounds in April. In migration, any open expanse along the Connecticut River, such as agricultural land and sod farms, are ideal stopover sites. Birdwatchers should check the Rocky Hill Meadows and South Windsor Meadows starting this week.
The only known nesting site in Connecticut for the Upland Sandpiper is at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. Unfortunately for birders, access in and around the airport property is strictly prohibited.
How to find it: Upland Sandpipers are most conspicuous during the early part of spring migration, when vegetation is at its initial stage of growth. This will allow birders a better chance of locating one while scanning wide-ranging farm fields. Later in migration, when grasses become taller and denser, its cryptic plumage makes it harder to pick out, even at a short distance.
Another great way to find this “grasspiper” species is by song, which is described as a rising-and-falling wooolEE WEElurr. Upland Sandpipers frequently sing from the top of a fence-post or other elevated object. Learning its distinctive song can sometimes be the difference in finding, or not finding, this rare species in Connecticut. Check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s recording.
What it looks like: The Upland Sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird, about the size of a Greater Yellowlegs. Note the species’ pot-bellied shape with small dove-like head, large black eye, thin neck, long legs and tail. This makes for an awkward appearance, but its movements are deliberate and graceful.
The Upland Sandpiper’s strongly patterned, buff-brown upper-parts provide outstanding camouflage in its favored grassland habitats. Underparts can appear whitish to dull yellow. Head, neck, breast and flanks are strongly streaked with dark brown chevrons. In flight, dark outer wing contrasts with paler inner wing coverts.
Conservation status: Upland Sandpipers are considered endangered in Connecticut. Their breeding status hangs in the balance with the recent loss of an important nesting site in East Hartford. Development at Bradley International Airport continues to threaten existing grassland habitat.
Photo: Pesayo, Carolinabirds.org
