This morning I stopped by Bottle Beach State Park and spotted a very unusual
looking sandpiper that I would like some help IDing. This bird was about
peep size, perhaps slightly larger. I got a brief view of the bill which
reminded me of a Western Sandpiper's bill in size and shape (that is
down-curved). Face was very whitish with some dark areas as can be seen in
the photo, also there is are dark "stripes" on the crown on the head. There
were Western and Least Sandpipers near-by and this bird didn't look at all
like any of them. See the photo at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/coastalbirds/photos/album/531892157/pic/384574
157/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc

Thanks,

Chazz Hesselein
Mobile, AL