Off-Course Russian Bird Draws Birders From Hundreds of Miles Away

Bird enthusiasts flocked to San Diego last week to get a look at a Curlew Sandpiper.

The bird was visible between July 24 and 30 near Imperial Beach, and was first spotted by well-known Imperial Beach birder Guy McCaskie during one of his regular searches for shore birds.

Curlew Sandpipers are usually found in the tundras of Russia and northern Asia and migrate south to Australia and New Zealand, but sometimes they lose their way and end up in North America on their way south.

“That’s what happened here,” McCaskie said.

Although Curlew Sandpipers are extremely rare in North America, this is the sixth known siting of the bird since 1981. The first bird was found in 1981 and was also spotted by McCaskie.

The off-course bird brought bird enthusiasts to San Diego from many parts of California and even as far awy as Colorado, he said.

At a quick glance, the bird may resemble the endangered Light-footed clapper rail, but part of the Curlew Sandpiper’s appeal is it’s appearance. At this time, the bird is in full breeding plumage, which gives it a more vibrant look.

“It really stands out,” San Diego Audubon Society volunteer Betsy Rudee said.