Sanderling - Elijah Hayes
Report

Contributor

Date

Location

Lower Klamath NWR--Straits Drain
Klamath, Oregon, United States
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 42.0243992, -121.7778454
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

Observed in mixed shorebird flock while scanning through to count Pectoral Sandpipers. It was rough scoping today with wind causing scope wobble and tears, but while scanning through and counting the Pectoral Sandpipers I got a brief view of a face that immediately screamed Sanderling. I quickly tried to refind it in the group but wasn’t seeing anything. I was about to pack up and add those details under shorebird sp. when I suddenly saw a strong Sanderling candidate lying in the mud near some Black-bellied Plovers. It was smaller than the Plovers but larger than WESA nearby, close in size to PESA. It was very pale, with a white breast and very light gray back. Face was pale white with a contrasting dark eye and some faint eye striping. Rufous/pale orange collar extended from the back onto the breast, but was broken in the middle. Bill was tucked and legs were not seen, but after watching for a few minutes it lifted its head, which showed a dark stripe on the crown. Bill was black and fairly thick and short, not long or droopy enough for Dunlin. While looking for other field marks the flock flushed, but I was able to refind the bird standing and foraging and note black legs and darker primaries. At this point I sent word to Julie, Dave and Kevin. Julie arrived first and was able to see the bird fairly quickly, Dave arrived later and also saw the bird. They noted behavior consistent with Sanderling and agreed with my ID. Unfortunately in the hour I was out with Kevin the bird was nowhere to be found. Could possibly be using one of the other fields in the area if it’s around. Possibly part of the flock present in the Davis/Wickiup vicinity moving south? Was able to take one photo of the bird at rest but with the distance, zoom, and scope shake it is hardly anything to write home about. I may post it later if I think it adds to the ID; does show some GISS points that could be useful.

Technical information

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