Red knot?

Calling all shorebird experts. Can you please tell me if the birds surrounding the skimmer are red knots or sanderlings? Thank you!
Connie

Connie, do you have any image of these little birds with the bill showing?

In any case, the relative size compared to the skimmer, as well as the brown-tinged plumage (rather than grayer) suggest non-breeding Dunlin to me (breeding would have black bellies)...but I'd really love to see at least one with the bill showing!

I'll let the shorebird ID experts chime in as I could very well be wrong:D

I agree Daniel. Sanderling have black legs and Knot are a different shape.

Dave.

I think you are right Daniel. Here is another photo that shows the beak. Thank you!

Hi Connie,

I agree with the others that all the birds you're referring to in the original post are Dunlin. However, in your 2nd post there are some Sanderling as well - the paler, smaller shorebirds with the short bill, flying just above the Oystercatchers, and many of the birds on the rocks below them.

Richard

I agree Dunlins with Sanderlings