ML61953481

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - X

Observation details

Found on the west (Stevenson) side of the lagoon north (left) of the snow fence. Seen picking and dipping its tail (similar motion to a Spotted Sandpiper) fairly regularly. A rather squat "Tringa" sandpiper with bright yellow-green legs (not as vibrant as a Yellowlegs) and a fairly heavy bill. Similar in structure to a Yellowlegs or a dowitcher, but shorter and burlier with a much thicker bill. Lance-like bill approximately 2/3 the length of the head with a pale dusky flesh colored base and black tip. Thick base with a fair bit of taper to a relatively thick point, at times appeared to droop ever-so-slightly towards the tip. Upperparts uniform pale gray-tan. In flight rump and retrices consistent in color with the rest of the upperparts. Underparts whitish with pale gray vermiculation across the breast extending into the flanks, absent on the belly. thin gray barring terminated towards the rear of the flanks. Undertail coverts whitish with some limited gray barring. Overall, the barring did not appear as dark or as dense as I might expect for a Wandering Tattler. White supercillium with dark blackish eyeline. Supercillium meeting on the center of the forehead. Whitish auriculars. Heard giving a sharp, concise "Pee-o-weet" call, similar to that of a plover in quality and slightly ascending, which I believe is diagnostic for Gray-tailed Tattler, as opposed to the tumbling whistled cascade of notes often given by Wandering. The only experience I have with Wandering is in winter, so seeing a breeding plumaged Tattler of any species was a novel experience.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 20D

ISO

200

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/800 sec

Dimensions

990 pixels x 660 pixels

Original file size

160.49 KB