Semipalmated vs. Western Sandpiper; Plum Island, MA, USA (1 Viewer)

[TKbird]

Could anyone provide confirmation in ruling out WESA here? Thanks!
TKbird

 

[Butty]

I'm sure the photos are still coming...

 

[TKbird]

Yes, sorry for the delay! Decided to remove distracting audio.

 

[THE_FERN]

My thoughts are: bill perhaps more typically western [but thick, conceivably within scope for extreme semi-]. Has dark face and ear area even taking into account lighting [better for semi-]; but Macauley images suggest this character variable. Large dark breast smudge better for semi-, but again this character variable. I see no indication of [e.g.] rufous on mantle. I'd go with semi- on balance

 

[TKbird]

My thoughts are: bill perhaps more typically western [but thick, conceivably within scope for extreme semi-]. Has dark face and ear area even taking into account lighting [better for semi-]; but Macauley images suggest this character variable. Large dark breast smudge better for semi-, but again this character variable. I see no indication of [e.g.] rufous on mantle. I'd go with semi- on balance

Thank you!