ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

[Shane McPherson]

Ok. So firstly identifying it as a Calidris species. A few cm's larger than a wrybill [20cm].
My first though was it must be a sandpiper being amongst a flock of wrybill however looking at features described for the two sandpipers of adequate size:
lacks the rufous crown that should be apparent in both plumages of sharp-tailed sandpiper.
lacks streaking and other strong markings on the breast which should indicate pectoral sandpiper.

The supercilium, primary projection and leg colour dont help much. Upon closer inspection the feather detail of the coverts - the breeding plumage coverts show bicolour rufous and dark brown feathers, while the non-breeding coverts show light margins. [higher resolutoin photo would help here]. All this points to :

Red Knot
Calidris canutus

though I have my doubts

[Ross Silcock]

Dunlin adult molting to basic. Dark legs, breast blotches look reddish-brown.

[igor]

Curlew Sand

[Jan]

Sheila Petch says sharp-tailed sand.
[I am entering this for her as she has dial-up and doesn't do Birding.net]

[Nick Allen]

sharp-tailed sandpiper

[harrier.talon]

Pectoral sandpiper

[Richard Schofield]

Curlew Sandpiper

[Graham Saunders]

Curlew Sandpiper

[bruce.shanks]

Sharp Tailed Sandpiper

[birdiebev]

Lesser Knot (looks similar to 1 I saw feeding by Wrybill at Ashley Estuary last Tues. evening)