i.d needed please

cherrywaff · #1 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 06:40 PM

i went to mersea island at the weekend visiting . i was nicely surprised about the amount of waders that were on the shore but was unable to mak a positive i.d on these very small pale waders.there were also little egrets curlews redshanks oystercatchers, and turnstones. i thought these might be sanderlings which ive never seen before. i,m probably wrong tho

thanks cherry.

oxycera · #2 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 08:14 PM

Don't see why they shouldn't be Sanderling. Perhaps Dunlin the only other possibility

cherrywaff · #3 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 08:15 PM

isnt it dunlin that have a black patch underneath in winter plumage,??

Ferret · #4 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 09:56 PM

Dunlin have a black belly as part of there summer plumage.
Sanderling, at least the adults, are very pale and very black stout beaks while winter Dunlin are grey above with dark slightly downturned bills, Sanderling also look smaller as they have shorter darker legs upon which they always seem to be running about.

Ferret

davidbr · #5 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrywaff

i went to mersea island at the weekend visiting . i was nicely surprised about the amount of waders that were on the shore but was unable to mak a positive i.d on these very small pale waders.there were also little egrets curlews redshanks oystercatchers, and turnstones. i thought these might be sanderlings which ive never seen before. i,m probably wrong tho

thanks cherry.

Definitely Sanderling - even from a distance, the silvery-grey underside is utterly distinctive

cherrywaff · #6 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 06:34 PM

thanks for your replies everyone.. i did want them to be sanderling , ive never seen them before

)

RoyW · #7 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidbr

Definitely Sanderling - even from a distance, the silvery-grey underside is utterly distinctive

Based solely on the photo I wouldn't be prepared to eliminate Dunlin, especially as the possibility that the birds are slightly overexposed can't be rule out - look how pale the underparts on what looks like a Redshank are (mid range, towards the left of the photo).
Both Dunlin and Sanderling are white underneath in winter, but Sanderling tend to have paler grey upperparts and whiter heads, and Dunlin usually have darker markings on the upper breast.

michael23 · #8 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 07:41 PM

another vote for sanderling!

Picidae · #9 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyW

Based solely on the photo I wouldn't be prepared to eliminate Dunlin, especially as the possibility that the birds are slightly overexposed can't be rule out -

I agree. How anyone can rule out Dunlin (or any other Calidris sp. in that lot for that matter!) I'd be interested to know. I can just make out Redshanks, Little Egrets, BHGs and Oyster Catchers at a pinch! For starters, the small waders appear to be a mixed flock anyway, and certainly varying in tonal impressions and size which could be due to perspective and lighting/photographic artifact but likewise may not be! (Ps the Little Stint is the one 5 in from the left on the third row back just right of the Dunlin that is facing us

Correct identification isn't a democracy!