Re: Full Breeding Curlew Sandpiper

A friend took a photo of a flock of
waders near Geelong, Victoria  yesterday.   When he looked (and
digitally zoomed) the photos there was a full breeding Curlew Sandpiper
amongst them.
The bird was totally red, and not just
partially coloured.

Do Curlew Sandpipers breed this time
of year in the northern hemishere, and this bird has recently migrated?
Or would the bird have 'coloured up' while in Australia? 

Is it be possible that the unusual heavy
rains this time of year triggered a breeding response in this bird?

Any comments appreciated.

Peter