Sandpiper Hampshire UK 7/4/23 (1 Viewer)

[StephenHampshire]

I'm trying to positively id this wader, seen today in a local watercress bed. I'm thinking Green Sandpiper in intermediate moult. I have seen Green Sandpipers in this spot most winters, but this looks different, much less monochrome. My overall impression in the flesh (I only had basic binos with me today) was a brown bird, spotted on the back with a pale grey head and white eye ring. Slender bill and prominent bars on tail. quite a dainty bird (could compare it to moorhen in close proximity, quite a bit smaller) It did a few tail dips but nowhere near as many as Greens that I have seen here in previous years. I didn't see a clear stripe past the eye, but there were faint lines of white dots behind the eye. I thought there was an outside chance of aWood Sandpiper, which are seen locally, although normally in late summer. Some reported in April in 2019 and 2020 though. Any thoughts- see photos attached, apologies they are heavy crops from a zoom, although full frame sensor)

 

[Richard Prior]

A nice spangly Wood Sandpiper Stephen.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It's a Green Sandpiper. Note the three broad bars on the tail, rather than the larger number of narrower bars you would get on Wood.

Focus On: Green and Wood Sandpipers

Both species are a delight for visitors to wetland areas during passage periods, though they can sometimes cause identification difficulties for the unwary.

www.birdguides.com

 

[StephenHampshire]

It's a Green Sandpiper. Note the three broad bars on the tail, rather than the larger number of narrower bars you would get on Wood.

Focus On: Green and Wood Sandpipers

Both species are a delight for visitors to wetland areas during passage periods, though they can sometimes cause identification difficulties for the unwary.

www.birdguides.com

Definitely three bars, I saw those clearly. Thank you (PS Thanks for the link, that didn't come up when I googled. Mind you based on that I'm going for Solitary Sandpiper ha ha!)

 

[StephenHampshire]

A nice spangly Wood Sandpiper Stephen.

It was spangly, I'm used to seeing adult Green Sandpipers looking much more uniform dark grey/white.

 

[Richard Prior]

Thanks Andrew, I was a bit too quick on the draw there!