Western or Semi-palm sandpipers Stone Harbor, NJ October 2, 2021 (1 Viewer)

[jmercer]

These very plain sandpipers have me confused, some are saying semi-palm others western. They were with a bunch of Sanderling on the beach and several of these peeps. The bill seems to droop slightly, but doesn't look as long as I would have thought.
Thanks,

 

[Butty]

Given the bill-shape and -length, I'd take them/it to be western sandpiper.

 

[KC Foggin]

After a google image search I'll go with Western Sandpiper as well.

 

[jmercer]

Thanks, IO appreciate the help.

 

[njlarsen]

These birds are certainly within the length expected of eastern Semipalmated Sandpipers. The shape might be enough to name them western, of that I am less sure (though I tend to lean that way). NJ seems a bit north for at least the majority of the westerns.

Niels

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I saw the same birds last week. My take then was Semis, especially some of my pics actually show the webbing.

BTW, check your Sanderling pics for banded birds. I had three of them, all with light green flags

 

[D Halas]

I saw the same birds last week. My take then was Semis, especially some of my pics actually show the webbing.

BTW, check your Sanderling pics for banded birds. I had three of them, all with light green flags

Webbing between the toes isn't diagnostic for Semipalmated Sandpiper; Western Sandpipers have it as well.

 

[connorco]

I agree, these all look like semis to me.

 

[Brian J Small]

All Western for me.

Brian

 

[THE_FERN]

All Western for me.

Brian

I agree with this. The bills are fine and quite long. I feel we'd expect to see more flank/breast streaking if these were semis

 

[lou salomon]

it's not only bill shape (curved down and quite pointed at tip) - also structure, in being big headed and front heavy (legs look slightly placed to the rear) that give the impression of Western Sandpipers in all depicted birds.

 

[smiths]

Any remaining Semipalmated Sandpipers in the area are likely to be in full juvenile plumage still.
Adult birds have left by now.
Stone Harbor is a well-known spot for large numbers of Western Sandpiper in October.