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Dozens of these small wading birds were sunning themselves or foraging at the waters edge on a small island off the NE coast of the US. Any suggestions as to species?
Rocky, treeless island called Mt Desert Rock, about 25 miles out from Bar Harbor, ME.
I also agree with Semipalmated Sandpiper. It is definitely not a Least or Western, nothing about the head is right for either.
I'd agree with Semipalmated even though they're rarer than Leasts. Audobon's http://www.aba.org/birding/v40n4p40w1.pd... may be helpful in trying to distinguish what you saw (the easterly examples are nearer the back of that document) but both the leg color and what I can see of the toes support Semipalmated.