Just a sanderling? Almeria, Spain. (1 Viewer)

[Joseph Bouvier]

Hiya,
saw 2 of these birds yesterday at a small river mouth (leading into the sea) walking along the edge with turnstones, sanderlings, little ringed plovers, kentish plovers and a little stint. I'm fairly sure these are just sanderlings, but the bill looked a bit odd, and they have interesting colouring.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[lou salomon]

sanderling moulting into breeding plumage.

 

[Manolito]

Joseph, yes that's a Sanderling. That interesting color is because it's molting to the breeding plumage.

 

[Joseph Bouvier]

Thanks!

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Not a definitive answer, but one to alert all that this might be a pitfall picture of a Little Stint. Please note:

• slender bill with fine tip
• brown tones confined to supercilium
• appearantly hind toe
• all dark centers to wing coverts and scapulars full, lacking pale hollow centers/internal markings of many Sanderlings

big headed jizz seems better for a Lttle Stint for me. Reason? Dont know.

As said not a definitive anser. To all: please look again and more closely, and write more about this bird, so I can learn! Thanks!

Edit: yes, I see the strong white wing-bar, forming a leading edge to the wing, too,. That adds to the Sanderling-impression!

 

[Rotherbirder]

I'm inclined to agree with Alexander, its a Little Stint. Bill too short, not deep enough at base & too finely-tipped for Sanderling.

RB

 

[Butty]

saw 2 of these birds...

Have you got any more photos? Including any that might show the toes?

 

[Joseph Bouvier]

How interesting...
I wouldn't be surprised,I definitely saw at least 1 stint on the day...
Sadly I haven't got any more photos.