BirdingNZ.net

I'm not in NZ but there's a Whimbrel been spotted on Mount Maunganui "recently ". An email 2 days ago and confirming video on Facebook groups NZ garden birds group. (!). Paul. Rhein Valley

Whimbrel seen again (or another) on beach adjacent to the board walk leading up to Mount Maunganui, BOP today at 09.00 Photo taken with iphone

Paul G has cast doubts about this bird. He feels it is showing many features of an American Whimbrel

"Never seen an Asian Whimbrel looking anything like that!! Looks like an American?
Dark rump & back, and warmer coloured underwings would clinch it if somebody can get a view?
The bird has that classic American white front and face and thick-based bill, shorter and slightly less curved. Longer legs too."

He asks if there might be other photos of the bird showing the features he mentions.

Cheers, Grahame

These are the only other photos that show any difference. The outer borders of tail appear white but whether this implies a white rump and upper tail, I don’t know. I hope these photos help.

Whimbrel still present and showing well today at 08.00-09.00. Unfortunately bird did not reveal critical features necessary to exclude hudsonicus. One photo of uppertail showed no white. I will post when I have had chance to edit. I didn’t obtain flight view of bird as I had no desire to flush it. Bird quite wary. Runs off when 15-20m away

Unless you get a clear view (and preferably photo) of the back in flight it's hard to exclude the standard Asian form. You don't really see any of the pale in birds on the ground.
Phil

Here are some photos from Karin Sievwright, who found it on 7 September. The short scapulars look like it's a juvenile.
Phil