I visited Stockton Sandspit, Newcastle, NSW on Sunday pm
Wader ID is my bane
what are these 2?
and the 3rd?
and the 4th?
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#1 two Red-necked Stints with a Curlew Sandpiper on the right.
#2 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
#3 appears to be a Curlew Sandpiper on left, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper front & centre, & probably Red-necked Stint hidden behind (mostly going on the reflection in the water for the Stint?).
Cheers, Steve
thanks
Peter
Whoa... I've noticed something different here...
1st photo - Curlew Sandpiper (right), Red-necked Stint (middle) and the left bird is turned away so it is not reliable to make a accurate ID, although I could guess that it is another Stint.
2nd photo - At first glace, a Sharp-tailed SP, but I noticed something unexpected... Compare the Sharp-tailed SP in the 3rd photo with the 2nd. Notice the abrupt end to the streaking on the bird's chest and slightly longer bill in #2 compared to the smooth fading of the streaks and shorter bill of the Sharp-tailed SP in #3. I can safely ID a Pectoral Sandpiper, which is uncommon.
3rd photo - (left to right)... Possibly a Curlew SP, RN Stint (behind) and Sharp-tailed SP.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
thanks
I have a number of other pics of that bird and now that you have pointed it out the abrupt end to the streaking on the breast is very obvious
you got me looking through other pics from that session
is this a Curlew Sandpiper that is starting to gain breeding plumage
Peter
Yes, post #5 is Curlew Sandpiper with some breeding plumage coming thru.
I must admit I was probably too hasty in ruling out Pectoral Sandpiper for 2nd photo in post #1. But, after having another look, I'm not yet 100% convinced it's a Pectoral. I agree it shows good potential for a Pectoral, for the reasons quoted by Brandon, but Pectoral usually have clean white along the sides & rear underparts, whereas this bird appears to have some streaking in this area, that could be mud or a result of the low image resolution. Also Pectoral usually have a noticeable pale yellowish bill base, I can't see it in this one, but again that be could a result of mud or image resolution.
So I'm keen to see more pictures if you have them. In particular have you got any showing the breast from front on. On Pectoral, the abruptly cut-off streaked breast comes down to a point in the middle of the breast.
this is as close to front on as I have
Peter
I looked at this again, not sure, but still leaning towards Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
yep, mmm just might sit on the sand bar with this one .
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
thanks, they should come with an ID tag
Peter