ML356040851

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Medium-sized shorebird (noticeably larger than nearby semipalmated and least sandpiper and slightly smaller than nearby pectoral sandpiper) with long decurved bill. This bird appeared to be molting from breeding to nonbreeding plumage, with brick-red underparts and head being replaced by grayish feathers…some light barring still appeared along the back flanks of the bird. Black legs eliminate stilt sandpiper; the extent of red plumage on the bird’s underside eliminates Dunlin (bird also appeared more attenuated and less chunky than DUNL) and Western Sandpiper; the shape of the bill, white underwing, and more attenuated profile also eliminate Red Knot. When we left, the bird was still actively probing along the edge of a flooded, muddy field with SESAs. The bird was on private property but can be viewed from Chism Road with a scope. I would recommend parking where Pugh intersects Chism and walking approximately a half mile south down Chism until you reach a gate on the east side of the road, as that is where more most of the shorebirds have been spotted by Gene Knight, myself, and other birders visiting this area. Photos.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 80D

Lens

150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary 015

ISO

1250

Focal length

600 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/800 sec

Dimensions

730 pixels x 487 pixels

Original file size

140.15 KB