Hi John
I think you are right, most likely a juvenile Sharp-tail in rather worn plumage, based on the bright cap and white supercilium although I wouldn’t completely rule out a post-breeding adult. We certainly do get juveniles in Australia, the species breeds in the Siberian tundra May-July, and young birds would maybe start arriving here in late August.
Steve
From: John Brown [
Sent: Sunday, 26 October 2014 3:25 PM
To: COG_Mailing_List
Subject: [canberrabirds] Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at West Belconnen Pond?
Can someone confirmed that this bird I photographed at West Belconnen Pond today is in fact a (young?) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper? It appeared to have quite a Rufous cap, which it more obvious in the originals of these photos. This would suggest a juv, but do we get juv’s here? The only other possibility would be a long-toed stint which would seem very unlikely.
Sorry the photos are so small. It was a long way away. The originals are larger, but bigger doesn’t mean better quality or that they enlarge any better.
It was in the company of a Latham’s Snipe.
Thanks,
John
