ML622951624

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Juvenile bird found with small flock of Western Sandpiper’s. Found bird foraging on wave-slope on beach roughly 1/4 mile north of Point Saint George at 14:25. (41.7912235, -124.2453447) Physical characteristics noted: At first glance I noticed a rather plain looking peep with a shorter bill. My first thought was “cool maybe got a semi-sand”. Then getting the scope on the bird I realized this was not a Semipalmated. The bird had plain gray colored coverts and tertials (some rufous edging to tertials). Really the only detail pattern was in the upper scapulars. The other thing I really noted was a different shape than the westerns. This bird had a slimmer looking body and longer primaries and tail. The bird appeared to have shorter legs giving it a shorter look, but overall, it had a longer look. When running the toes looked very long and fingered with no webbing. It really dawned on me at that moment I think I have a Red-necked Stint. The bird continued to forage sometimes coming within 15 feet of me which gave me plenty of time to study and photograph. I also noted a drabber brown neck blending into the face not showing an obvious supercilium stripe. When looking at the upper breast it was buffy colored connecting giving it a bib or collar look. The bill of course was thinner than western and curved slightly down which eliminates Semipalmated. I got to watch the bird fly a few times and noted much more white in the outer tail feathers. This stint was a very satisfying find for me. As I’ve been studying the plates of these species looking for a RNST for a long time. Photos and video taken.

Technical information

Model

DMC-FZ40

ISO

80

Flash

Flash did not fire

Dimensions

2499 pixels x 1784 pixels

Original file size

565.35 KB