MOURC Proceedings Archive - Sandpipers Accepted
Duplicates
This is the 1981 to present Records Committee Proceedings archive for
The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
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Proceedings
Species: Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Eskimo Curlew
Long-billed Curlew
Red Knot
Ruff
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher
American Woodcock
Spotted Sandpiper
Red-necked Phalarope
Red Phalarope

Western Sandpiper (C) (Calidris mauri)Start Date 1988-01-01
RefFirstLastLocationCounty23CommentStatus
32:1251960indexWestern Sandpiper Taken in Minnesota
1:0MOU1960-09-031960-09-04Salt LakeLac qui ParleThe Loon 32:122Accepted
39:1401967indexWestern Sandpiper in Lyon County
42:73-741970indexWestern Sandpiper Found in Mille Lacs County
43:921971indexWestern Sandpiper at Whitewater Refuge
2:163:411988-07-28BloomingtonHennepin(vote 6-1) . The Loon 61:24Accepted
avian
information
1988-07-28Hennepin7/28 Hennepin (first state record) (first county record)
One carefully documented in Hennepin (7/ 28, Old Cedar Avenue Bridge, SC).
avian
information
1989-08-12Marshall8/12 Marshall (third state record) (first county record)
avian
information
1989-08-13Kittson8/13 Kittson (second state record) (first county record)
avian
information
1989-09-09Martin9/9 Martin (fourth state record) (first county record)
61:921989indexWestern Sandpiper Specimen
63:196-1971991indexWestern Sandpiper Documentation
3:264:151991-05-21Agassiz N.W.R.Marshall(vote 7-0; The Loon 63:196-197). Accepted
avian
information
1991-05-21Marshall5/21 Marshall (fifth state record) (second county record)
Only report: 5/21 Marshall KB (The Loon 63:196-197).
avian
information
1991-07-27Martin7/27 Martin (sixth state record) (second county record)
avian
information
1995-05-13Faribault5/13 Faribault (seventh state record) (first county record)
68:1641995-09-04near FaribaultRiceNo description of this individual is provided; the documentation only states that it looked the same as the bird in the other 4 September record below, but this record was unacceptable. Not Accepted
68:1641995-09-04near FaribaultRiceThe identification was based on spotted underparts, rust on the head and scapulars, and a drooped bill; however, these features are also consistent with Whiterumped Sandpiper. It is also unlikely that an observer would be able to find Western Sandpipers three times in one month in the same county. The record is also weakened by the fact that the observers were unaware of how unusual the species is in Minnesota. Not Accepted
68:1641995-09-23Phelps LakeRiceThe reasons given for not accepting the above record also apply here. In addition, this record is even weaker since neither size nor leg color were noted. Not Accepted
68:1641995-10-02CottonwoodLyonThe color of the back is described as “golden-marbled”, and the size is described as that of a Semipalmated Plover, but neither feature is consistent with Western Sandpiper. In 167 Fall 1996 addition, the observer was unaware of how rare this species is in Minnesota, suggesting the bird was not studied carefully enough for a positive identification. Not Accepted
70:1561998-05-16near EtterGoodhue(record #98-51, vote 2-5). The identification of these two individuals was based on their drooped bills, which are described as longer than some adjacent Semipalmated Sandpipers, and on some rufous color on their backs, wings and ear coverts. However, a Western Sandpiper is not rufous overall on its back and wings, as the description suggests; such color is basically limited to its scapulars, ear coverts and crown. At this time of year, a Western would have some obvious spotting or streaking on the underparts, but none is noted in the description. Finally, there is nothing in the documentation to preclude the possibility of these simply being Semipalmateds, since some individuals have longer and droopier bills than others. Not Accepted
72:401999-06-07Thielke L.Big Stone(record #99-35, vote 1-6). The primary difficulty with this record is that the observers, who provided separate descriptions and did not agree on these birds' identity, also did not agree on some of the key field marks they observed. One says the three birds were like Baird's or White-rumped in their size and shape, while the other observer reports the size and shape were unlike this. One describes the call note as a Baird's-like “kreeup,” while the other says it was a “jeet” or “keep.” Both describe a primary extension beyond the tail when the wings were folded, but it is unclear whether it was as long as on a Baird's or Whiterumped. It is also unclear from the descriptions how extensive or contrasting the rusty coloration was on the scapulars, whether any rust was present on the crown or ear coverts, and what age/plumage the birds were in — the observer who felt the birds were Westerns reports they were in juvenile plumage, but in early June this is not possible. Not Accepted
avian
information
1999-06-07Big Stone6/7 Big Stone (eighth state record) (first county record)
4:374:362001-10-262001-10-27Lake ByllesbyDakota(record #2001-69, vote 7-0). Excellent written descriptions and sketches by three experienced observers results in this being only the fourth accepted state record. Accepted
avian
information
2001-10-26Dakota10/26 Dakota (ninth state record) (first county record)
Providing the first acceptable record of this Accidental species since May 1991 was one at L. Byllesby 10/26–27 Dakota †ADS, †TAT et al.
5:474:1612002-05-02Mud LakeTraverse(record #2002-20, vote 7-0 one individual / vote 6-1 both individuals, The Loon 74:182). The observer, who is very experienced with this species in other states, included field notes, sketches, and a marginally identifiable photo with the documentation. This represents only the fifth documented record ever in Minnesota, although this species was formerly (and probably erroneously) considered Regular here. Accepted
avian
information
2002-05-02Traverse5/2 Traverse (tenth state record) (first county record)
Only the 4th acceptable record since 1988 when this species' status in the state was reviewed. Two birds observed 5/2 Traverse (Mud L.) ph. †KJB (The Loon 74:182).
76:392002-05-15Perry TownshipLac qui Parle(record #2003-50, vote 1-6). The formal, typed description seems to be written mostly from memory after a lapse of 16 months, which is when the documentation was received. There were original field notes, which appear to be written the same day as the observation, and therefore these are the more important part of the documentation. Unfortunately, the description included in these notes is too brief to eliminate the possibility of these sandpipers being Whiterumpeds or Semipalmateds. Not Accepted
76:1522004-05-06Madison TownshipLac qui Parle(record #2004-059, vote 3-4). This may have been a Western Sandpiper, but there were concerns about the description of its hindneck and back, and its apparent size. Based on side-by-side comparison, the bird was said to be the “same size as a Semipalmated Sandpiper, but just slightly shorter” which does not fit Western Sandpiper. Streaking across the chest was mentioned in the narrative, but was not depicted in either of the two sketches. The observer did not cite any previous experience with this or similar species, and failed to consider and eliminate White-rumped Sandpiper, one of several potential confusion species. Not Accepted
80:52007-09-15HutchinsonMcLeod(record #2007-064, vote 1-6). The identification relied primarily on bill size and shape, which is complicated by the fact that Semipalmated Sandpiper's bill length increases from west to east across Canada (Harrington and Morrison 1979, Veit and Jonsson 1984). Field notes were not taken. Not Accepted
6:580:52007-09-292007-09-30Sleepy EyeBrown(record #2007-072, vote 7-0). Sixth documented record for the state. Photographed. Accepted
avian
information
2007-09-292007-09-30Brown9/29, 30 Brown (eleventh state record) (first county record)
Juvenile bird discovered 9/29 in Brown County at the Sleepy Eye W.T.P. (ph. †BTS). This bird remained through 9/30 and was described and photographed by many (†DAB, ph. †PEB, †PCC, †RMD, ph. †KRE, †JPE, ph. †PHS). Sixth documented record in the state.
7:682:1032010-05-132010-05-14near 320th Street and Holyoke Avenue, Greenvale TownshipDakota(record #2010-012, vote 7-0). Seventh documented record. Identifiably photographed. Accepted
avian
information
2010-05-132010-05-15Dakota5/13, 14, 15 Dakota (twelfth state record) (second county record)
Adult female found 5/13–14 Dakota (Greenvale Twp.) ph. †JPM, ph. †DWK, †CMB, m.ob. Seventh documented state record.
8:785:992013-05-04Ortonville TownshipBig Stone(record #2013-033, vote 7-0). Adult, diagnostic photographs. Accepted
avian
information
2013-05-04Big Stone5/4 Big Stone (thirteenth state record) (second county record)
A bird in alternate plumage was discovered 5/4 Big Stone (Ortonville Twp.) ph. †PEJ, †DFN, GHu, †DLP.
9:890:832017-05-14Murray/Lyon County Line RoadMurray(record #2017-008, vote 7-0). Photographed. After two lengthy debates, photographic analysis, and consultation with outside experts the record was accepted. Third spring record since 2010. Accepted
avian
information
2017-05-14Murray5/14 Murray (fourteenth state record) (first county record)
Third spring record since 2010, 5/14 Murray ph. †GWe.
10:990:832018-05-01Lake Byllesby, northwest corner of the reservoirDakota(record #2018-011, vote 6-1). Accepted
avian
information
2018-05-01Dakota5/1 Dakota (fifteenth state record) (third county record)
A single bird was discovered 5/1 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) †PEJ.
91:892018-08-18Freeborn LakeFreeborn(record #2018-034, initial vote 3-4, recirculated vote 0-7). Most members felt there was not enough detail to eliminate Semipalmated Sandpiper. Not Accepted
93:32020-08-23 Lone Tree LakeLyon (record #2020-089, vote 1-6). The observer's description is insufficiently detailed to adequately distinguish the bird from other Calidris species, particularly Semipalmated Sandpiper. The observer mentions field notes, but none are included.

Not Accepted
11:1094:32022-04-27 180th Street Marsh, Vermillion TownshipDakota (record #2022-013, vote 5-2). Adult, photographed. Interestingly, this bird was initially identified with the aid of the eBird Merlin App. It may have otherwise been overlooked. Fourth county and 11th state record.

Accepted
avian
information
2022-04-27Dakota4/27 Dakota (fourth county record)
A single bird in alternate plumage was discovered 4/27 Dakota (180th St. Marsh) ph. †MiF.
94:32022-05-212022-05-22 east of Belle PlaineScott (record #2022-043, vote 1-6). Although accompanied by photographs, several members felt that the documentation did not adequately eliminate other similar species especially Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Not Accepted
12:1194:1152022-09-11 High Island Lake Conservation ClubSibley (record #2022-082, vote 7-0). Juvenile, photographed. First county record. Accepted
avian
information
2022-09-11Sibley9/11 Sibley (first county record)
The state’s first fall record since 2007 was found 9/11 Sibley (High Island Lake) ph. †JGW, JWH.
13:1295:1152023-09-23 Purgatory Creek ParkHennepin (record #2023-101, vote 7-0). Molting adult, photographed.

Accepted
avian
information
2023-09-23Hennepin9/23 Hennepin (second county record)
 
 Thirteen records: seven spring, one summer, and five fall. Recorded in four of the last ten years, most recently 2023.

Notes:

The information in the above table comes from several different sources. The count in column 1 indicates which of the sources is considered the primary source.
'Accepted' MOURC entries from The MOURC Proceedings
'Not Accepted' or 'Rejected' MOURC entry from The MOURC Proceedings
Accepted MOU records assembled by David Cahlander
Sighting records for ()
Avian information from the occurrence maps, in dark red, assembled by Robert Janssen. Seasonal report for the species/season published in The Loon or The Flicker has been added.
Information from The Loon index assembled by Anthony Hertzel and David Cahlander