ML36509861

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - X

Media notes

Marsh Sandpiper at left, with Greater Yellowlegs

Observation details

A stake-out -- and CA's 2d record -- found 9 Apr by Roger Muscat. The story of our visit is in overall comments, top of list. The Marsh Sandpiper was reasonably easy to i.d. in its basic plumage (I have a fair amount of field experience with it in basic plumage from Africa and Asia; review of photos showed a very alternate feathers appearing on back/scaps or flanks, but these not really visible from long range) by its small size (even smaller than Lesser Yellowlegs in comparison with Greaters, but the distinction is over-pronounced because it is so pale). It is quite a different shape than yellowlegs, looking more like an overgrown, gangly, stilt-legged Wilson's Phalarope. In flight the long white wedge from white rump and up the lower back is apparent, but at all views the bird is dainty, tottering of dull greeny-yellow legs that are much too disproportionately long and thin for the slim, long-winged bird. The face is essentially all-white at a distance or in flight (just a small smudge behind the eye) and the underparts are all white; the mantle looks pale gray. Remiges black but tail, spread when landing, essentially looks white at distance. So the whole thing is a tiny ghost-shrimp Tringa with a thin, straight, very long and needle-like bill (the bill seemed all black). I did hear rather soft, mellow, two-part "too-too" notes twice that might have been made by it. [flight shot with GRYE is below]

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D

ISO

1250

Focal length

420 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/6400 sec

Dimensions

997 pixels x 500 pixels

Original file size

75.11 KB