Need help with small shore birds - So Cal (1 Viewer)

[dant1999]

1) My initial thought was that in the first photo, which was taken last September in Santa Monica, that this is a snowy plover. Is this correct? I recently discovered that I have been confusing snowy plovers and sanderlings, and I just wanted confirmation.

2) In the second photo, taken today near the Santa Clara River estuary, are these all sanderlings or is this one sanderling with two snowy plovers?

3) In the third photo, taken today near the Santa Clara River estuary, is this a least sandpiper?

 

[steveo]

For sure a Sanderling at the top in the second photo. Well the leg color is a clincher for Least on the Third.

 

[fugl]

1. Snowy Plover
2. 2 ditto + 1 Sanderling
3. Least Sandpiper

 

[AlexC]

Agree with Steveo and Fugl.