Dowitchers are strictly migratory in the mountains and though regular each year in surrounding areas, it took a wet, foggy day in August 2006 before one was recorded in the park. Such weather conditions and time of year are typical of many stray migrant shorebird sightings in this area.

Short-billed Dowitchers breed in Canada and winter from the coast of the Southeastern US down to northern South America. The Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) is less common in the east, but could one day be recorded in the park as well. Contrary to the common names, these species are not best told apart by their bill length, but rather by differences in their feathers that can be hard to see except under ideal conditions. Future observations need to include all details of feather patterns that can be seen.

This species has been recorded only once in the park at Purchase Knob on August 12, 2006.

References:

Gough, G. A., Sauer, J. R., Iliff, M. Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter. 1998. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.