lirralirra

If in doubt it’s best practice to err on the side of the more common species, but this bird has puzzled some of our top wader experts.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper or Pectoral Sandpiper
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 800

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are common waders, shown in both images below, while Pectoral Sandpipers are significantly rarer. I can ID the more common waders and am always on the look out for the definitive cut off of breast markings that could indicate a Pectoral Sandpiper. This bird had me puzzled, very puzzled. A friend of mine has been surveying the WTP for Melbourne Water for many years so I asked his thoughts. He was puzzled and sent the image to various experts, who sent it on to other experts. Birding is fascinating!

All kinds of comments came back including:

Pros

• the long, slightly downturned bill consistent with a Pectoral
• yellow legs
• yellow base of bill
• broad, pale supercilium
• buff ear patch

Cons

• no definite breast demarkation
• streaking on undertail coverts

Thoughts have ranged from a Pec without a definitive line between white underparts and streaked breast to a Sharpie in post-juvenile moult. I haven’t credited the wader experts as I haven’t had time to get their permission – I am very grateful to you all.

So, it is a Sharpie with a long bill and other slightly odd features or is it a Pec with some slightly odd features. Whatever it is it’s a remarkable little bird that migrates between Siberia and Australia.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
1/800, f/7.1, ISO 400

The image above is an older shot, taken in different lighting conditions. The image below was taken on the same day as the puzzling bird and more clearly shows the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper’s rusty cap.

I’ve shared these Sharpie shots for comparison purposes. I’ve been going back and forth between them, checking my field guides and examining the colour of their legs and the length of their bills.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
1/2000, f/10, ISO 1000

I’ve often hoped to find a Pectoral Sandpiper and it’s kind of amusing to think that I still don’t know whether I’ve seen one.

If you’re good at IDing waders, or if you’re intrigued enough to check your field guides and the internet, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

Happy birding

Kim

PS the lirralirra exhibition has been extended until the end of February at The Chosen Bean, Mountain Gate, Ferntree Gully – new images now on display

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