Short-billed Dowitchers are generally found in coastal areas, shorelines, and muddy or brackish ponds. Long-billed Dowitchers are less common in the Bahamas, and prefer freshwater habitat. It can be quite hard to tell them apart unless seeing them together. As previously mentioned, they forage by rapidly plunging their long bills into mud or shallow water in a motion sometimes compared to a sewing machine (old-fashioned).

ARCTIC WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE

Not found in the Bahamas! A lucky ‘distance’ shot from a boat that came out unexpectedly well. Mrs RH and I recently spent some time in N Norway, within the Arctic circle. The aim was to photograph orcas and, if lucky, other cetaceans. Ha! We blanked with the orcas – always in the wrong place at the wrong time… But it was a wonderful adventure, and the Nordic part of me (1/4) was reluctant to leave.

I very rarely post about places beyond Abaco / Bahamas, but occasionally a bird sighting merits a wider wingspan, so to speak.

This crane was a ‘first’ for Abaco, where it landed at the northern end and was quickly spotted as a new species arrival. Most likely it had been blown off-course from its migration route, and was pausing to get its bearings to continue the flight. So, yet another ‘first’ for Abaco, and a very fine one too. Photo: Elwood Bracey

BIRDS OF ABACO Craig Nash / Keith Salvesen / Rolling Harbour