Fairly large wader in Central Sweden (3 Viewers)

[Macswede]

After the help I received with the juvenile Redstart yesterday, here's another challenge.
There were a group of three of these waders and they seemed to be quite large. I only managed a poor shot of one bird.
I thought it might be a juvenile Spotted Redshank but I think it was larger. Is the bill too short for a Bar-tailed Godwit?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Graham,

do you have more pictures of this bird? When I read your comment probably no.
If so, then I cant identify your bird with confidence.

My thoughts:

• as you know, proportions can well be changed/diluted in unsharp shots by motion blur, artefacts and burned-out bill and legs appear slimmer then they really are.
• with this in mind, I still think the legs do project to far beyond the tail for a Bar-tailed Godwit.
• But I skip the too slender body shape and the slender straight bill for a Bar-tailed Godwit

So the choice is between Spotted Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper and Greenshank imo, And if forced I would opt for a Spotted Redshank:

• you got a vibe of this specieds in the field, or even identified it in the field? Most important point imo you know
• Marsh Sandpiper is a clearly smaller bird than a Spotted Redshank or a Greenshank. Yes, the right caveats. But its really smaller (do the Elephant and Mouse jokes only exsist in Germany?), so you might have noticed this in the field (?)

Can you describe your impression from the field?

 

[Macswede]

Sorry, Alexander, I only managed this one shot unfortunately.
My impression was that they we quite large waders with strong markings but there was some confusion as there were Common Gulls in the air close by at the same time.

 

[Butty]

The legs are too long for bar-tailed godwit and greenshank. Looks too chunky for marsh sandpiper. I find it easier to believe as a spotted redshank than as a black-tailed godwit. In other words... pass 🙂

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

My first impression in Greenshank, but no 100% confidence of course.

 

[KenM]

Another lightened version…I’m thinking perhaps Wood Sandpiper-breast striations, leg and bill length seem to fit, also a lot around at the moment on passage.?

Cheers

 

[Macswede]

There are certainly plenty of Wood Sandpipers in the vicinity, Ken. They nest in the wetland at the foot of the road, a short flight away from where I took the picture.

 

[Butty]

lightened version

...in which the bill is wood-sandpiper length only because, sadly, your lightening has 'lightened away' the distal 50% of it - so, no, it can't be wood sandpiper (and its legs are probably too long too).

 

[KenM]

...in which the bill is wood-sandpiper length only because, sadly, your lightening has 'lightened away' the distal 50% of it - so, no, it can't be wood sandpiper (and its legs are probably too long too).

…..if you can’t say what it might be?
How can you say what it isn’t?😮

 

[Butty]

…..if you can’t say what it might be?

I did. Keep up.

How can you say what it isn’t?😮

I worry that that's a serious question... 🤦🏻

 

[Southern Viking]

It's a Greenshank for me. It's got a tringa look about it, and the legs do appear too long for Bar-tailed Godwit anyway. Bill in the first pic clearly far too long for Wood Sand or Marsh Sand. I can't rule out Spotted Redshank but I'm feeling Greenshank

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

I agree that this photo is either Spotted Redshank or Greenshank, but i wouldn´t like to decide based on this photo alone.
Did the birds call?
However, bill length and leg length are wrong for wood sandpiper. legs are too long for bar-tailed Godwit, in black tailed Godwit i think you would at least get a glimpse of the white band in the wing...