ML248084571

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Found by Ethan Monk in a flock of 750 or so Western Sandpipers along the north side of Frank’s Dump. Spent well over an hour scoping the flock, which moved fairly close to the path along the north side of Frank’s Dump giving pretty good views except that most of them were sitting down with heads tucked. Eventually got clear views of the Semipalmated Sandpiper standing, with head out, with Westerns nearby for comparison; this bird had a short, thick, blunt-tipped bill which was straight or perhaps very slightly decurved. It was paler, plainer grayish overall except for a more contrasting face pattern with whitish chin and throat and whitish supercilium, no rufous tones in the head or upper parts, no spots down the flanks but a thin dusky band across the upper breast. It was similar in size and shape to the Westerns but a little smaller or shorter - short legs, short neck, short bill. Dark legs. Around 5:30 about 2/3 of the flock took off, the tide was receding; after that I could not refind it. Some horrible photos, may not be IDable but I eventually had much better views than the photos.

Technical information

Dimensions

750 pixels x 564 pixels

Original file size

282.85 KB