X N O T H E R F I R S T F 0 R P. E. 1.!

OBSERVATIONS OF NESTING UPLAND dANDPIPERs ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Qégggz June 25, 26, and 27, 1976.

LOCATION: st. Eleanor's, P. E. I.

OBSERVATIONS: All observations made by three Observers.

June 25: one adult was seen on a five foot fence post within 10 feet of a travelled highway; the bird was identified at this time at a dis— tance of 15 feet. Eventually it flew to more distant fence post.

June 26: two adults and two chicks were observed at the exact same location; the chicks were about one-half adult size; one adult. preeumable the male, flew away and was not seen again that day; the other remained within 50 feet of the two chicks who were roaming around on the ground; apparently they could not fly; photographs were taken.

June 27: two adults seen in exact same location; more photos taken.

No sound was heard from any of the birds at any time during any of the observations.

The bird presumed to be the male spent most of the time sitting on a fencepost whereas the one presumed to be the female spent some time on fenceposts but an equal time on the ground in eight inch long grass usually near the chicks. The presumed male would regularly fly in a loo-yard diameter circle before aliahting on a different fencepost. The fenceposts were 5 to 6 inches in diaueter--most being 5.5 inches.

TERRAIN: The birds spent most of their time in a field with 8-inch Erase but occasionally wandered across the field with cut grass.

Ossunvzns: Alan Hollett. Roberta Gilchrist. Peter Gilchrist.

Hr. Hollett has been observing birds for about 12 years but only eight months in Canada. mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist have been observing birds for four years. primarily in Ontario. Mr. Gilchrist had observed an Upland Sandpiper before. near Pickering Harsh outside of Toronto. Peterson's Field Guide and Godfrey's "Birds of Canada" were employed to assist in the identification.

lNQUIRIE : For further information contact Peter Gilchrist, 6 Glencairn Ayenue. Toronto. Ontario, utn lib

Mere than 50 other photographs are available for examination.

GENERAL NOTES ON UPLAND SANDPIPERS

The Upland Sandpiper is a large streaked buffy-brown shorebird which is smaller than a curlew or godwit and larger than a pectoral sandpiper.

It habitually perches on fenceposts and when alighting, holds the wings extended high over the back for a few seconds before folding them in place. This sandpiper. formerly known as the Upland Plover. has accord- ing to Bent in Life History of North!Americang§horebirds "adopted the haunts and many of;the’habits of the plovers".

Until the early 1900's, Upland Sandpipers were as numerous as meadow- larks on the short—grass prairies of North America, and early settlers