Begin forwarded message: From: Joseph Morlan <[email protected]> Date: May 22, 2007 7:17:40 AM CDT
Jim Your bird looks like a Least Sandpiper to me. The crouched posture with dirty-yellowish legs bent, no obvious primary projection and finely pointed bill-tip are all features of Least Sandpiper. The brown mottling to the bib, not extending to the flanks is also a chracter of Least Sandpiper. It is not a Western Sandpiper which has a different scapular and head pattern, more extensive streaking going to the flanks and a less-finely tipped bill. Nor is it a Semipalmated Sandpiper which has a straighter, more blunt bill and darker legs. ===== Well, if it was a Western, I certainly didn't want to ignore it. Jim Williams
