Radar, find me a new bird!

Good boy!

Some sort of medium-sized sandpiper with big brown spots.

White eye ring, yellowish legs. I thought maybe a Spotted Sandpiper? I got confirmation on Facebook’s What’s This Bird.

From Cornell Lab of Ornithology…

The dapper Spotted Sandpiper makes a great ambassador for the notoriously difficult-to-identify shorebirds. They occur all across North America, they are distinctive in both looks and actions, and they’re handsome.

Also,

The Spotted Sandpiper is the most widespread breeding sandpiper in North America.

This one appeared to be traveling solo, and didn’t linger long.

At Jensen Beach Causeway this morning, Radar was also a big help carrying my keys, clipped to collar and leash. Reminder to self: wear something with pockets when you’re juggling camera and dog on leash.

Audubon, Spotted Sandpiper…

Most sandpipers nest only in the far north, but the little “Spotty” is common in summer over much of North America. As it walks on the shores of streams, ponds, and marshes, it bobs the rear half of its body up and down in an odd teetering motion. When startled, it skims away low over the water, with rapid bursts of shallow wingbeats and short, stiff-winged glides. Even where it is common, it is seldom seen in flocks.