Sanderling running

[Stan]

Constantly on the move, shot on Ft Myers Beach early evening

stan

1/1600, f8, ISO400, 280mm

[Tigger]

Re: Sanderling running

and even better to get him in the reflection as well - nice work

[Brian Sugden]

Re: Sanderling running

Very nice shot Stan, though I think it may be a semipalmated sandpiper.

[David Morison]

Re: Sanderling running

Super, stunning little birds.

David

[antoeknee]

Re: Sanderling running

Super image. As to ident its easier if seen together there is a size difference, semipalmated sandpiper smaller and dantier. One clue could be the hind claw this bird has, IIRC this is absent on sanderling.

So likely Semipalmated Sandpiper as Brian suggests.

[Stan]

Re: Sanderling running

Thanks for looking guys

I think it may be a semipalmated sandpiper.

when we first arrived we picked up a laminated Florida Field Guide - sea and shore birds and right next to each other were the sandpiper and sanderling, very similar and plumped for the latter. Probably the sanderling flight shots - http://www.eos-magazine-forum.com/sh...derling-Flight are going to be sandpipers also ?

Stan

[Bill53]

Re: Sanderling running

Superb shot Stan, very sharp and a nice reflection too.

Bill.

[antoeknee]

Re: Sanderling running

Just looked at these images again Stan and a bit tricky. Can't find my field guide for NA birds so can't look at flight patterns. From memory not a lot of difference but seem to recall (maybe wrongly) that sanderling have dark/black patch that runs from rump down centre of tail and SP don't.

If that's correct then first would appear to be SP. As to the other your guess is as good as mine.

[antoeknee]

Re: Sanderling running

Also forgot to mention in this 'running' shot there is no black shoulder patch that would indicate sanderling so again pointing to SP.

Always hate waders at this time of year as juvs and adults with eclipse plumage make it really difficult to ident if your not regularly doing some watching.

[Alan_H]

Re: Sanderling running

Well captured Stan, I thought I had some images of Sanderlings from Fort de soto but after Brians observation I have checked and think they are Dunlins with a much longer bill, checking Sibleys guide and looking at Sanderlings Dunlins Semipalmated Sandpiper Juvenile, Summer, Winter, Breeding, head spinning now will have to lie down

Alan

[Stan]

Re: Sanderling running

Cheers guys - obviously very confusing

This is another I had put down as a sanderling but it may also be a SP

Stan

[antoeknee]

Re: Sanderling running

Quite possibly Stan. Very 'clean looking' which would suggest SP. Feet are obscured so can't check for hind claw, interestingly of the birds that are grouped as Calidris only the Sanderling doesn't have this hind claw, also known as hallux and is believed to be an adaptation to aid fast running.

[tesarver]

Re: Sanderling running

Well done Stan

Tom

[Stan]

Re: Sanderling running

Cheers guys

Quite possibly Stan. Very 'clean looking' which would suggest SP

I am thinking that most if not all are going to be SP but that's not a problem as I can get sanderlings in the UK

stan

[antoeknee]

Re: Sanderling running

Seem to recall that SP were more common.