Portugal yesterday - Dunlin or Curlew Sandpiper (1 Viewer)

[ndsutcliffe]

Taken in the marsh at Ria Da Alvor - plenty of Dunlins around, but this one looks a bit longer in the leg, visible supercilium. Possibly Curlew Sandpiper? Views appreciated

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
first gut feeling: its a Dunlin.
But with a deeper look to look for reasons to support the ID, the bird seems to get harder with every minute.

My thoughts:

• yes, the bill is evenly curved and many Dunlins have a slightly shorter one. But your bird is easy within variation for a Dunlin and it would be on the short side for a Curlw SP (yes just within variation for this, too)
• legs are short (too ?? for a Curlew SP, I think so)
• supercilium is nearly a blop over the loral stripe
• at first I thought, well spotted breast is much better for a Dunlin (nearly giving it a Pectoral SP impression), but I am not so sure. Right or wrong?
• Right or wrong? When I looked at this, I thought: better to doublecheck this bird against vagrants (I havent experience with this, so I struggle) And this adds to the Dunlin feeling here, at least for me.

Conclusion? Its a Dunlin for me

A question: is this a 2cy bird? thanks!

edit: and this excellent site came into my mind: First year Hudsonian Dunlin — subalpinebirding. Reason? Dont know...

 

[Butty]

Dunlin with its head raised.

 

[ndsutcliffe]

Thanks. Yes, will go with Dunlin.