I don't want to overuse your shorebird ID skills, but I learned so much from the discussions that resulted of my latest posts here that I just can't resist. I seriously printed each of these threads and added them to my book library.
Here is another one that was shot in Northeast Alberta (Bonnyville to be exact : https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Jessi...+Lake&t=m&z=15) on Oct 15. A quick look at the colors and shape reminded me of a Least I posted last year (http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...rebird-%28!%29). But then I remembered thinking to myself while sinking in the mud (seriously) that these were a tad larger than Leasts. So I decided to dig in a little and got confused especially by the color at the base of the bill and the clear yellow legs. Now, because of these 2 points, I'm leaning toward Pectoral.
Have I got it right? Have I spotted the distinctive marks? Have I missed something!
Congratulations P-A, you correctly identified this species as being Pectoral Sandpiper thanks to the fieldmarks that you nicely picked out (including the size relative to Least).
When I get it right and no one disagrees, these threads tend to be less entertaining
At least another challenge: aging. I'm not familiar at all with this specie, but the bits I know about shorebirds tend to mention that at this time of the year, adults show much more wearing on their plumage than juveniles which have crispier patterns. I would expect to see less of the white fringes on the feathers of a worn adult. Plus it let me get quite close, so I suspect the innocence of a youngster.
Let's give it another go: shorebird ID!
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