Subject: [Tweeters] Mystery Sandpiper
Date: Oct 11 13:16:59 2011
From: Barry Ulman - ubarry at qwest.net


Hi Tweeters,

Last Saturday several of us observed a small sandpiper at the Skagit Wildlife Center or Wylie Slough. We all thought it was a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, but when I examined the many photographs I took of it, I noticed that the wings did not extend beyond the tail. Other field marks seemed right for a Baird's: a tad larger than a Western, black legs, somewhat scaly appearance on the back, and a buffy tint on the head and breast. I posted three photographs for your perusal; the exposure isn't the best because I was shooting into the light. Any ideas?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50326009 at N02/

Barry Ulman
Bellingham, WA.
ubarry at qwest.net