Unidentified Sandpipers

gannetmod · #1 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 03:23 PM

Can anyone identify these two birds please?
The pictures were taken on Marazion Beach (Cornwall) on Sept 21st. I think picture #2 may be a Baird's Sandpiper, but the other bird is slightly different and I cannot identify it from my references (Little Stint maybe?).

big bill · #2 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 03:30 PM

hello gannetmod first of all welcome to the site ,
1. I think is a Semipalmated Sandpiper
2. I agree with you as Bairds sandpiper
nice pics too well done

RobinP · #3 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 03:43 PM

Semi-P looks good for the first one, not sure about no.2, looks to have too much speckling on the chest for Baird's, has anyone considered Pectoral Sandpiper?

Nice pics too, no doubt a 'peep' expert will be along soon

gannetmod · #4 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 04:01 PM

Thanks Bill and Robin P.
I didn't expect to get a response quite so quickly but it's nice to know that the two birds are something rather unusual.
Neither was shy and I got within ten feet of them to take the pictures; only the stream kept me from getting closer.
Richard

MagpieMick · #5 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 06:59 PM

I can see where your thoughts are on the species that you've mentioned !!

For me they both look like Juv .... Dunlin ...

But i stand to be corrected ..!!

Will wait for Aeshna and Picidae to join in ...

Mick..

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagpieMick

I can see where your thoughts are on the species that you've mentioned !!

For me they both look like Juv .... Dunlin ...

But i stand to be corrected ..!!

Will wait for Aeshna and Picidae to join in ...

Mick..

I tend to agree. The second clearly isn't Baird's as this species has primaries well exceeding the tail giving a very attenuated gizz (unlike featured bird) + doesn't show this dark streaking below ( which is surely a very strong Dunlin moulting feature) + also the bill isn't so obviously down curved.

Picidae · #7 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagpieMick

Will wait for Aeshna and Picidae to join in ...

Mick..

Picidae has shocking toothache and doped to eyeballs with Codeine! But, agree both Dunlin. Not sure I'd want to assign age though, adults moulting into winter plumage can look very similar.

RobinP · #8 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 12:50 PM

Oops!!

What a mistake to make, I offer my resignation immediately.

big bill · #9 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 01:59 PM

Back to the books with better pictures thought I was doing well just goes to show it aint easy this ID lark ,

gannetmod · #10 (**permalink**) 29-10-2009, 03:40 PM

Well, as Big Bill says, this bird recognition is a very difficult thing and I understand why so many birds are simply referred to as "LBJs" by the likes of me!
I managed to send both pictures to the RSPB and their response was that #1 (the left hand image - bird looking at the camera) is a juvenile Baird's Sandpiper and the other one is a juvenile Dunlin.
Many thanks for your responses.
Regards
Richard