30 Fall 2020 LOCALadk Magazine
LOCALadk
Belted Kingfishers are another common resident along the Ausable. This
fish-eating bird nests in cavities it excavates in sand banks. Its distinctive
clattering rattle call is often heard before the bird is seen. Unlike most birds,
the female, whose flanks and belly sport a rufous patch, is more brightly
colored than her mate.
Most shorebird species nest in the
Arctic, but the Spotted Sandpiper is
an exception. This species is the most
widespread shorebird in North Ameri-
ca. They nest along the shores of the
Ausable River as well as on lake shore-
lines in the Adirondacks. Spotted sand-
pipers are readily recognized by their
teetering walk and weet notes uttered
during a stuttering flight with down-
cur ved wings. Unusual among birds,
females arrive before males on the
breeding grounds where she establish-
es and maintains a territor y. Some fe-
males practice polyandr y, laying eggs
in as many as four nests for males who
take primar y responsibility for incu-
bating the eggs and taking care of the
young.
