Hello,
do you have more pictures? They can well help to get a (more) true impression of the bird and its features.
No offense you know, but the "ornamental Hopooe" came into my mind again, that showed how mobile phone pictures can be heavily distored or even changed (please note the strange, not true to life feeling of a Blacktailed Godwit wing pattern, which wasnt there in the real bird)
Yes I agree with Butty, but:
When you identified the bird as a Whimbrel in the field (?), then it might well be one.And if this is true, I think, broad (impression) of the bill (or is it slightly open?), adding to the "Gonzo-shape" impression might slightly be better for a Whimbrel.
Yes, the appearant head pattern, Butty is absolutly right here imo, but I think more pictures are needed to give a confident comment (?)