[tf1044x]

This is a photo taken by me. So for the people who like a challenge, can anyone ID this.

[Reader]

My first throw of the dice would be a Sanderling in breeding plumage.

[T0ny]

Temminck's Stint ?

Tony

[steve_nova]

It looks like Temminck's in my book.

[Steve Lister]

I have got to go with John J, Sanderling. The patterning of the wing feathers is wrong for Temminck's, and the legs look near enough black, or too dark for Temminck's anyway. Red-necked Stint or Little Stint can probably be ruled out on bill length, and I can't see a hind toe anyway.

Steve

[oldsquaw]

Breeding plum. Sanderling. Leg color & bill shape.

[tf1044x]

Sorry you guys, on ones got it yet

[Steve Lister]

Go on then, what is it ? And where ?

Steve

[Gecsos]

If it were not for the leg color, I would call that bird a Least Sandpiper if I came across it in the US.

Of course, this bird is not a Least Sandpiper, or at least I hope it is not.

What struck me about this bird was the very brown plumage overall, this is another characteristic I might associate with Least Sandpiper.

To cut to the chase, I am feeling this bird is more of a White-rumped/Baird's Sandpiper. Which of the two is a more likely vagrant in the UK? I am just guessing this photo was taken there.

If I had to choose, I would say White-rumped because of the slight streaking along the flanks, yet the browness of the plumage is not something I have seen very much in this species.

Maybe this is a stint or other peep after all, but either way don't reveal the answer just yet!

~GECSOS

[nigelblake]

Looking at the primary projection and streaking on the flanks and though the head is in shadow there seems to be a supercillium it could be White-rumped Sandpiper, but it does not look long enough, this could be down to the angle the bird is at.

[LuBird]

Sandpiper.

[MikeMules]

Having probably never seen this bird, and definitely never having seen the bird I'm about to suggest, I'll nevertheless take a punt on Baird's Sandpiper (with some help from my new Collins).

[Ashley beolens]

Id say little stint although the breast banding reminds me of Bairds Sandpiper? Its too chestnut in colour for teminks or sanderling.

[tf1044x]

OK Gecsos, I'm going to work now, I will reveal the answer tonight.

[Andrew]

I am going for Baird's Sandpiper!

[Gecsos]

Baird's is also a very good possibility. Where this bird is feeding is more typical of a Baird's, White-rumped is prone to feed in waters at least up to their legs. Baird's is a grassland species in its normal range, and during migration, can be found feeding on sandy beaches and similar areas.

The only thing I really don't like about Baird's is the breast pattern and wing length. Maybe its just angle, but its wings look fairly short for a Baird's. They seem to fit WR a little better. Its breast pattern seems to demarcated, but that could also be due to the angle of the photo.

~GECSOS

[T0ny]

Second and last attempt - Cox's Sandpiper !

Tony

[cjay]

Calidris alpina.

CJ

[tf1044x]

Hi,
The photo was taken in November a couple of years ago, it was on the beach at San Clemente, Argentina. This was one of an estimated 3000 White-rumped Sandpipers that were running around at the time. Thanks to all those who had a go.
Trev

[T0ny]

Hi, Trev,

That was fun - what's next ??

Tony

[Ashley beolens]

It was quite a well coloured bird for November? I recall the ones over here being awhole lot greyer, The Titchwell bird last year certainly was.

still its the first time I've seen us all stumped on an ID.

[tf1044x]

Tony, I'm trying to find a photo of a Cox's Sand

[Toucha kent]

I'd say a sandpiper also but thats just a guess

[Yve_M]

Trev, thanks for that bit of fun even though I missed out posting (company all weekend). Darn too cause we get alot of 'peeps' here in Saskatchewan and I would have actually been able to identify something on this forum for once! ha ha.

[Jane Turner]

I have a suspision that this was taken near sunset and all those warm tones are down to the sun!