Hi tweets,

Thanks again to Tom Aversa and everyone else who has kept us all up to date
on this prize stray. The consensus seems to be that it is a juvenile, which
is supported by the fine feather detail on the tertials and larger wing
coverts, which have a very narrow black shaft-streak extending all the way
to the tip of the feather. This is nicely shown in the photo in Dennis
Paulson's shorebird book. It takes a super scope to make it out, and the
bird has to stand still for a few seconds for the image to stabilize. Also
suggestive of juvenile is the rather bright, contrasting back feathering and
the fine breast markings. Apparently, all but one West Coast record have
been juveniles. All three Washington records are from near the mouth of
Grays Harbor, the first a specimen from Westport in September 3, 1934; the
second a bird found by Dennis Paulson near the Ocean Shores jetty September
8, 1979. This individual is quite a bit later than most of the previous
strays, but individuals have recently wintered in California and Baja (late
January to March 1998).

Gene Hunn.