wader ID please

[bob.phillips]

Trying to catalogue some of my bird pics and came across this one. Is it a sanderling. I'm not even sure where it was taken. Any help would be great. Sorry about the picture quality.

Regards,

Bob P.

[Picidae]

Hi Bob

Yes it's a Sanderling.

If you're going through old pics, can you please post the date/month it was taken if you have that info on the picture file, it helps to ID bird and age it! - also, provided you haven't traveled extensively, stating at least whether it was taken in the UK is also very helpful (rather than precise location if unknown). It all helps to assist with identification (especially when pics aren't too clear!) - Thanks!!! (That applies to all of us btw!)

[GuyF]

Can't see much of the bill so I may well be wrong, but I thought it could be a Grey Plover,
Guy

[Picidae]

This is why we really need a date on these ID threads!

You could be right Guy, what I thought was the bill is actually some kind of eel I believe now, having enlarged pic, so could be a lot shorter than initial impression. I'm also looking at Grey P's at the moment that are still black and white, so this isn't a recent pic if so, but 'spotted' contrasty covert pattern could well fit a winter/non-breeding Grey P as it could a moulting Sanderling in July! Iris

Is this the only image you have Bob?

[aeshna5]

My first reaction is Grey Plover too.

[Picidae]

looking at this again this morning and zooming in on image a bit more (while not recovering from an exhausting day at work late at night!), it certainly looks like a Grey Plover in winter plumage rather than a moulting Sanderling! Was a bit hasty to agree with Bob last night

It would still be very helpful to know dates of photos when people post them though please!

[bob.phillips]

Thanks for responses. The date I have is 3rd Jan 2008, but I don't know the location. Apart from it being in the UK, it is possible that it was in Northern Spain, but I'm not sure about being there in January.

Thanks again for your help.

Bob P.