on 11/10/05 6:24 PM, Ruth and/or Patrick Sullivan at godwit at worldnet.att.net
wrote:

Hello Jeff and others,

We wanted to reply privately to your message,as the bird was viewed again
today between 8am-2:30pm and beyond by up to 26 birders,including Bill
Tweit,who is extremely critical on bird details. The bird is indeed a
Temminck's Stint,but if you or anyone else still feel otherwise doubtful
that is up to you. Today we saw the bird at every angle,as well as very
close views of the bird showing great detail! The bird was extremely well
viewed and heard today along with many,many additional photos that were
obtained of it. The photosthat were viewed from our website are "poor"
quality compared to our photos taken today! Essentially yesterday's photos
were taken only for proof in case the bird flew off overnight,but it was
there all day today and noone had any doubts. We will put many new excellent
photos on our website so you can judge differently perhaps. There is not
much else to say by going into so many details. Our new photos will speak
for themselves! For you or anyone else still in doubt please come and see
the bird for yourself,if you have a chance.

Sincerely,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan



Hi Ruth and Patrick:

I agree.

I was in a bit of a rush today when I posted. I have since had time to look
in various Japanese books. (When I just went to your website the photos of
the bird on the ground were gone - perhaps you are replacing them with the
better photos.) I thought I could see the remains of dark subterminal edges
to some of the feathers on the bird's upper parts on one of the photos that
had been posted earlier.

Having now had time to review Japanese books with over 20 photos of
Temminck's Stints, all of the questions I had about the bird have been
pretty much answered in the positive. The photos of some birds show no or
very little extension of the tail beyond the folded wings. One photo shows
a pale collar on a winter plumage bird. I will look forward to the
additional photos you took of the Ocean Shores bird. Great find. I have
been looking for one in the northwest for years.

I don't see any reason to consider it as a possible hybrid, although that
has to be considered in regard to shorebirds.

I will be there tomorrow.

Jeff Gilligan.