Short-billed Dowitchers at Reesor Pond in Markham, Ontario

On 19 May 2015 between 6:45 and 7:45 p.m., 34 Short-billed Dowitchers were at Reesor Pond in Markham, near Toronto, Ontario.

26 were the brightly coloured hendersoni subspecies with its extensive cinnamon colour below. This subspecies breeds in the interior of the continent in black spruce bogs, muskegs, sedge marshes. Note it does not breed on the Prairies, which are farther south. Reesor Pond in Markham on 19 May 2015.

The front of neck and breast of the henderesoni subspecies are lightly spotted to having no spots. Compare with griseus subspecies below, which is heavily spotted across the neck. Reesor Pond in Markham on 19 May 2015.

In the flock were 6 eastern subspecies of the Short-billed Dowitcher (nominate griseus) in breeding plumage. Compared to the brighter hendersoni, the cinnamon on griseus is paler and confined to the neck and chest. Most griseus breed in Quebec, with a small breeding population in Labrador. We call it the Quebec Dowitcher. Reesor Pond in Markham on 19 May 2015.

Griseus is heavily spotted across the neck and breast, but in full breeding plumage only has a wash of cinnamon. Belly and breast are pale. Reesor Pond in Markham on 19 May 2015.

Probable first summer Short-billed Dowitcher, identified by still having many grey winter plumage feathers. A few breeding feathers and a faint wash of cinnamon around the face and neck have molted in. Compare to adults which are now molted into breeding plumage. Reesor Pond in Markham on 19 May 2015.