ML618412388

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

As many as three individuals present, all in varying degrees of alternate plumage, but differing in the amount of reddish coloration on the crown, cheeks and scapulars, and the amount of chevron-shaped streaking on the flanks. All were similar in size to adjacent Least Sandpipers but slightly stockier, noticeably smaller than both White-rumped and Baird’s Sandpipers, and clearly lacking the long primary projection of those two species. All had black legs, and black bills that were longer and more tapered than adjacent Semipalmated Sandpipers. On the brightest two birds, the reddish coloration on the scapulars was on the base of each feather (see photos), while on the dullest of the three birds this reddish coloration was very faint, but this individual still showed the distinctive, neat rows of chevron-shaped spots on the flanks. I encountered Western Sandpipers multiple times as I counted shorebirds at various locations on the lake, while a Peregrine Falcon continued to harass the birds, so the flocks of peeps and other shorebirds were often shifting around.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF400mm f/4 DO IS II USM +1.4x III

ISO

320

Focal length

560 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

791 pixels x 527 pixels

Original file size

68.98 KB