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 I went to Penrhyn Estuary Botany Bay with my mate 
Darryll today and we observed a number of waders such as Bar-tailed 
Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Golden Plover, Red-necked Stint and Great Knot. There 
was one wader that stumped us so I hope someone out there can help ID it for 
us. 
The bird is around the size or a bit smaller than a 
Curlew Sandpiper however the bill is around 1/4 longer, black and narrower and 
it only curves towards the end. The legs are black and the wings are longer than 
the tail. Under the tail it is speckled with dark spots which also run along its 
flanks under it's folded wings. 
The bird has a eyebrow and it has reddish buff 
along it's flanks. The underwings are white and it flew a few metres and it 
seems to have white on it's tail (could be a white rump but cannot be 
sure). All the Curlew Sandpipers at Penrhyn were all in winter plumage 
and all had clean white flanks. 
                                                                                                        
Regards    Terrill Nordstrom 
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