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Calidris alpina
Consensus of opinion is that both Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin species are present here but the majority would appear to be Dunlin.
Coastal marshes
Spotted on Dec 17, 2011
Submitted on Feb 17, 2012
6 Comments
The latest discussion on these birds can be seen here: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?...
It's looking a bit like a see-saw but "laruslister" has posted a long description explaining the differences.
I still have problems with most waders, especially in winter, but that's because I hardly ever see any around here apart from the small Plovers, Black-winged Stilts, Lapwings and Avocets. Most of my pictures of the waders were taken during a trip along the south coast of Spain in December.
My mistake - still working species by species to get each of the shorebirds down. Dunlins, whimbrels and godwits were my project this winter
Karen, the Avocet does not have an upcurved bill because it is a Black-winged Stilt! The experts are still in disagreement over the first photograph!
I do not see any down turned bills, so I'm voting dunlin, with the exception of the avocet
Originally I had these as a mix of Dunlins and Curlew Sandpipers, then the experts at birdforum.org said they were all Curlew Sandpipers, now they have re-examined them and some say they are all Dunlin while others think they are a mix so.....