California Shorebirds (more photos in first comment!) (1 Viewer)

rylirk

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2018

• #1

Finally caught up with the black turnstones I had been looking for all week in Playa del Rey, CA, and found some unexpected Surfbirds with them too! I'm less sure about the other birds: I'm moderately confident with my IDs, but I'm still a novice to UK waders let alone the US!

My guesses:
1. 'Black-Bellied Plover' (= UK Grey Plover)
2. Whimbrel
3. Sanderling
4. 2 Sanderling
5. Least Sandpiper

 

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rylirk

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2018

• #2

6. Sanderling
7. Least Sandpiper

 

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E

Earnest lad

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2018

• #3

Dear Sir
Although not an expert I am knowledgeable to concur on the following .:
1. Black-bellied Plover in breeding plumage (nice pic- a beautiful bird)
2. Whimbrel (nice pic)

Quoting from Birdguides
"Eurasian Whimbrel has a shorter bill than the Eurasian Curlew, with a more down-curved tip and usually has an obvious dark eye-stripe and pale supercilium. The head also has a notably pale median crown-stripe between the two broad black stripes that form a dark ‘skull cap’ in profile.

 

rylirk

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2018

• #4

Thanks If I was in the UK I would have no issue calling the IDs on the grey plover, whimbrel and sanderling, but I'm not sure what confusion species exist in CA. In particular, Western and White-Rumped sandpipers look identical to sanderlings to me, so I am hoping a California expert can help me

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Jul 23, 2018

• #5

all birds correctly identified.

 

rylirk

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2018

• #6

Thanks! Is this a sanderling too? I assume it is, but the orangey breast is throwing me off a bit

 

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lou salomon

the birdonist

• Jul 23, 2018

• #7

it's a sanderling. peachy coloured brest is the rest of breeding plumage.

 

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birdmeister

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2018

• #8

I agree that all of your birds are correctly identified. Nice pictures!