76 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 73 



Habitat: Largely restricted to flooded alfalfa and stubble fields and borders 

 of seasonally and semipermanently flooded wetlands. 



Long-billed Dowitcher {Limnodromus scolopaceus) 

 Status: Regular migrant. 



Migration: Uncommon migrant in the Western Upland and Central Plain, 

 rare to absent in the Northern Highland. Spring migrants arrive in the 

 Western Upland 20-25 April and the Northern Highland about 1 May. This 

 species is most frequently observed about 10 May and departs by 15 May. 

 Fall migrants arrive about 10 August (earliest— 17 July 1976, St. Croix 

 County). Peak abundance occurs 25 August to 5 September and departure 

 by 5 October (latest— 25 and 28 October 1960, St. Croix County; Robbins 

 1961). 



Correct identification of both dowitcher species is difficult because of their 

 similar appearance. To assure positive identification, recognition of their 

 call notes is important. The long-billed dowitcher has a short, two-note 

 "twee twee" call. The short-billed dowitcher call consists of three notes in 

 close succession. This call, "tu-tu-tu," is similar to the greater yellowlegs. 



Habitat: Primarily a species of flooded agricultural fields, temporarily, 

 seasonally, and semipermanently flooded wetlands. 



Red Knot [Calidris canutus) 

 Status: Casual migrant. 



Records: Single red knots were observed in St. Croix County on 12 May 1966 

 and 13 May 1975. Three birds were observed at Crex Meadows, Burnett 

 County, on 19 May 1972, and single birds on 13 June 1968 and 17 August 

 1960 (Kemper 1961). 



Sanderling {Calidris alba) 

 Status: Regular migrant. 



Migration: Rare spring and very rare fall migrant in the Western Upland 

 and at Crex Meadows, Burnett County; absent in the northern forested 

 regions. Spring migrants arrive about 10 May (earUest— 30 April 1973, St. 

 Croix County and 2 May 1969, Washington County) and have departed by 

 30 May. Fall migration is between 15 August and 10 September. 



Habitat: SanderUngs are primarily found on sandy or rocky beaches asso- 

 ciated with large lakes and sandbars on the St. Croix River. Occasional use 

 is made of drier portions of exposed mud associated with seasonally flooded 

 wetlands and man-made impoundments. 



Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusillus) 

 Status: Regular migrant. 



