Wader/Shorebird ID (1 Viewer)

[Katy Penland]

Jumping in again, although I'm not the Yank y'all are waiting for for a positive ID, both willet and stilt sand are much grayer birds than this individual shows. Having said that, the bird in the b.g. has a grayer cast than does the front bird but still warmer than I've seen in either willet or stilt sand. Also, willet has a slight but still very noticeable decurved bill, and stilt has the same degree of downcurve. The tiny bit of dark barring on the flanks of the bird in the photo, and what looks like its wingtips only as long or not quite as long as the tail, still point me to SB dowitcher.

Wish we were given even a teeny hint of size since stilt sand is much smaller than dowitcher.

 

[Grousemore]

Well done to those who went out on a limb with Stilt Sandpiper.It wasn't meant to be a 'trick' question,just that when I downloaded the pics that I took,this one did look 'odd'to me,so I thought I'd sound out opinion.
There were about 200 or so Stilt Sands there yesterday and several times a direct comparison with Dowitchers was possible,when they looked substantially smaller.
Thanks to all for the input;just shows how difficult photo ID can be!

 

[Katy Penland]

...just shows how difficult photo ID can be!

Wow, no kidding! But very instructive. Thanks for the exercise!

 

[HH75]

Hi all,
Haven't checked any responses yet,but these look like Stilt Sandpipers to me.The bill shape,general structure,hint of rufous on the ear coverts,leg colour etc all point towards this species.
Harry

 

[Grousemore]

Hi all,
Haven't checked any responses yet,but these look like Stilt Sandpipers to me.The bill shape,general structure,hint of rufous on the ear coverts,leg colour etc all point towards this species.
Harry

Well done,Harry-you make it sound easy!
Any turned up in Ireland?

 

[HH75]

Hi 'Grousemore',
This one was easy: Stilt Sand is a very distinctive shape!
Yeah,we've had a few over here,including two last year(one of which,an adult moulting out of summer plumage at Lough Beg(Co.Cork),was a tick for me)
Now,summer plumage dowitchers,THERE'S something I'd have a problem with....
Harry