I’m with Anthony, I don’t know that the picture is clear enough for a
definitive ID. I don’t think Black-necked Stilt is possible, because there
would be more black-white contrast and the bill appears too heavy. I’ve never
seen plovers feeding like that and, again, the bill’s wrong. Yellowlegs
crossed my mind, but I don’t think there’s enough neck, though that could be a
function of posture, but again, I think the bill is wrong. So, that said, I’m
voting for Eskimo Curlew 😊. Joking aside, my best guess is Stilt Sandpiper.
In both pictures, the rightmost bird appears to have a heavier bill with
perhaps some downward curve. The leftmost bird appears to have white on the
rump. Both fit with Stilt Sandpiper. The birds appear excessively light, but
that may be an artifact, as may the possible curve to the bill. I can’t rule
out one of the Dowitchers based on the heavy bill, though dowitcher bills are
straight. The white on the rump would fit dowitcher as well, but that may just
be a function of the photographic limitations. I certainly wouldn’t try to
distinguish between the dowitchers based on the photo. If anyone can
conclusively exclude the Stilt Sandpiper and dowitchers as contenders, then
we’re back to the Inuit Curlew.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Manuel De Leon
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2018 6:35 PM
To: LEAS
Subject: [leasbirds] Guy park shorebirds
I did a little birding before the basketball tournament started at Premiere
just now. Unfortunately I didn’t think to bring my binoculars and I happened to
see these shorebirds at Guy Park. They seem like stilts but maybe y’all can
enhance and tell me what they are.
Cheers!
Manuel De Leon, Lynn county. Currently watching the lady bulldogs playing
basketball