Spotted Sandpiper?? (1 Viewer)

[stephen p]

Afternoon guys,

Down in Cornwall over the weekend and saw this little chap on the Camel Estruary.
Looked different to the over Sanpipers around and was wondering (hoping!) if it was a Spotted Sandpiper??

Help identifying it would be great

Thanks

Steve

 

[DDolan1075]

That was my initial thought before I read your post. I don't have my guide to verify, but the big question is whether your Spotted Sandpiper is the same as the Spotted Sandpiper in the americas.

 

[Stuart Darbyshire]

i think its just a Common Sand

 

[robinm]

Common Sand for me.

 

[Laruslister]

:eek!:Common Sandpiper versus Winter/juvenile Spotted Sandpiper is a notoriously difficult one.

there are clues however,my dear Watson.

Spotted Sandpiper bill is "always two-toned"Macmillan Field guide 1990 Harris,Tucker ,and Vinicombe.
Common Sandpiper had dull,not brighter yellow legs(difficult to assess difference on single bird)
Tertial pattern is DIAGNOSTICCommon has notched edges to all tertials,Spotted has plain tertials with barring confined to tips.
On this bird I believe though photographic burn out is seen at the tertials you can make out the notches.It has certainly a unicolour bill,and wishy-qashy coloured legs,so I would plump for Common Sandpiper.As this is a british summer visitor it is far more likely

 

[nickderry]

yes, it's a common sandpiper

 

[stephen p]

:eek!:Common Sandpiper versus Winter/juvenile Spotted Sandpiper is a notoriously difficult one.

there are clues however,my dear Watson.

Spotted Sandpiper bill is "always two-toned"Macmillan Field guide 1990 Harris,Tucker ,and Vinicombe.
Common Sandpiper had dull,not brighter yellow legs(difficult to assess difference on single bird)
Tertial pattern is DIAGNOSTICCommon has notched edges to all tertials,Spotted has plain tertials with barring confined to tips.
On this bird I believe though photographic burn out is seen at the tertials you can make out the notches.It has certainly a unicolour bill,and wishy-qashy coloured legs,so I would plump for Common Sandpiper.As this is a british summer visitor it is far more likely

Thanks guys for the answer, i was hoping for a Spotted but can't argue i love Sandpipers regardless of type.

Thanks for the detailed answer Laruslister thats great!