[Nickk]

Please help with ID. Photos taken a couple of weeks ago in Lesbos, Greece. Thank you.

[Pie Face]

Hi Nick

Nice Stint shot.


1.Ruff
2.Spotted Redshank
3.Little Stints
4.Greenshank
5. Wood Sandpiper
6.Grey Plover

[Rob Smallwood]

Nick,

I'd not argue with Deja-vu - but I was stumped by 5 & 6 which I thought were the same bird and just looked wrong for Wood Sandpiper - almost looking like a short billed Stilt Sandpiper (very unlikely in Lesvos!).

I'm not sure about 2 either - the de-curved bill suggests Curlew Sandpiper to me.

I agree with the Little Stints (and the quality of the shot!), butdid wonder if the bill on 4 was fine enough for Marsh Sandpiper?

[Jurij Hanžel]

Originally Posted by Rob Smallwood

I'm not sure about 2 either - the de-curved bill suggests Curlew Sandpiper to me.

Spotted Redshanks have a subtle curve near the very bill tip, and Curlew Sandpiper would not have a two-colour bill.

[RedBishop]

6 is not a Grey Plover, check out the bill. Much too long and thin.
It's a wood sandpiper.

[lou salomon]

1. is this really a ruff? maybe i'm not used to see pics of flying r. but it looks very slim and long-ended, almost like a baird's sand (not saying it is one, bill's too long).
2. definitely spotshank on typical head markings (lore, super etc)
3. little stints adults moulting
4. greenshank
5. wood sand

[Dimitris]

Originally Posted by lou salomon

1. is this really a ruff? maybe i'm not used to see pics of flying r. but it looks very slim and long-ended, almost like a baird's sand (not saying it is one, bill's too long).
2. definitely spotshank on typical head markings (lore, super etc)
3. little stints adults moulting
4. greenshank
5. wood sand

I'd agree on these don't feel confident on the first one as well.I'll leave this to the experts

Cheers!

Dimitris

[doug_newman]

1) Not sure
2) I agree with Spotted Redshank - I think the "decurved bill" is s trick of the small size of the bird in the shot and the resultant "low res" nature when zooming in to try and see detail.
3) Yes for little stint. I don't know if anyone agrees, but a nice technique I use to seperate from Little Stint, if the shot is side on, the space between the tope of the eye and the crown - there is space for one more eye in Little stint, but 1.5 - 2 in Red-necked - i.e. more "head space".
4) Greenshank....... In my "youth" I have mis-identified more than my fair share of Greenshanks as possible Godwits based on the larger bill in my excitement to see a Godtiw - that bill is too long and heavy for a Marsh Sandpiper.
5) Wood Sandpiper is ok and I think 6 is also probably wood, but the photos are a bit low res.

[doug_newman]

1) Does seem ot have a Ruff sort of feel to it looking at its shape in flight but I would hardly say it is conclusive.

[tom mckinney]

Based on the extensive dark in the underwing, number 1 can't be a Ruff. Wood Sand for me. I think the angle and light is hiding the superC.

[lou salomon]

Originally Posted by doug_newman

1) Does seem ot have a Ruff sort of feel to it looking at its shape in flight but I would hardly say it is conclusive.

i don't like the contrast between breast and belly for ruff. structurally this isn't a ruff for me.
edit: ok, possible for a juv: buff breast, white belly, legs extending forming "the long rear end"
others?

[lou salomon]

Originally Posted by tom mckinney

Based on the extensive dark in the underwing number 1 can't be a Ruff. Wood Sand for me. I think the angle and light is hiding the superC.

still too contrasting breast: in wood it's more transitional, but shape is more likely for wood i agree.

[Pie Face]

Can't see anything other than a Ruff for the first one. Have to agree with comments regarding the last one though in that it is the same bird (A Wood Sand) the smaller photo looked long dark legged and that stonking super added to the fact that 'd just got up

Mark

[Nickk]

Thanks for the input. Insert photo is the same bird as in Pic #5. Sorry for the confusion.

ps. I was lucky enough to get a few good shots of Little Stints. I will provide a link later on today. They seemed fairly common. Is that the case in the UK as well?