ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

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Shane McPherson
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby Shane McPherson » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:11 am

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
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby Ross Silcock » Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:20 am

Dunlin adult molting to basic. Dark legs, breast blotches look reddish-brown.
igor
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby igor » Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:10 pm

Curlew Sand
Jan
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Location: Christchurch

Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby Jan » Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:06 pm

Sheila Petch says sharp-tailed sand.
[I am entering this for her as she has dial-up and doesn't do Birding.net]
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Nick Allen
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby Nick Allen » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:24 pm

sharp-tailed sandpiper
harrier.talon
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby harrier.talon » Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:00 am

Pectoral sandpiper
Richard Schofield
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby Richard Schofield » Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:49 am

Curlew Sandpiper
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Graham Saunders
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby Graham Saunders » Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:47 pm

Curlew Sandpiper
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bruce.shanks
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby bruce.shanks » Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:15 pm

Sharp Tailed Sandpiper
birdiebev
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Re: ID Challenge #6 - closes 14 January 2010

Postby birdiebev » Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:23 pm

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

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