FWIW, your bird is not faded – it’s a bright fresh juvenile (the
known Pec is also a juvy). Without a look at the front we’ll
probably never be sure.

Cliff

Thanks for your thoughts, Cliff!  I agree the bill
seems longer than expected for STSA, but the plumage issues I
was assuming were due to fading (possibly?) See attached picture
on that topic. And that eye ring is so striking compared to the
known PESA seen today? Wish I had gotten a good look from the
front!  

On Sep 16, 2023, at 2:42 PM, Cliff
Weisse <cliffandlisa@…> wrote:



Off the cuff this doesn’t strike me as a Sharp-tailed. The
crown doesn’t look as dark as I expect, supercilium doesn’t
contrast with crown and face, bill looks kind of long and I
think the white mantle stripes are better for Pec. It also
seems like it’s a bit early for inland records but I suppose
it’s possible.

Cliff

On 9/16/23 01:32PM, scott urban
wrote:

Hi, I just posted this same message to the Facebook
Rare Bird Sightings group:

Hi, seeking
thoughts on a possible Sharp-tailed Sandpiper today
(9-16-23) at Blacks Creek. The bird on the left is a
Pectoral, but the bird on the right appears to have a
flatter head and prominent eye ring, both features of
a Sharp-tailed (Kaufman 1987). The wings “may” be
matching or longer than the tail. Thoughts? I was not
able to see the breast.

-- 
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@...

-- 
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@...

Off the cuff this doesn’t strike me as a Sharp-tailed. The crown
doesn’t look as dark as I expect, supercilium doesn’t contrast
with crown and face, bill looks kind of long and I think the white
mantle stripes are better for Pec. It also seems like it’s a bit
early for inland records but I suppose it’s possible.

Cliff

Hi, I just posted this same message to the Facebook Rare
Bird Sightings group:

Hi, seeking thoughts on a possible Sharp-tailed
Sandpiper today (9-16-23) at Blacks Creek. The bird on the
left is a Pectoral, but the bird on the right appears to
have a flatter head and prominent eye ring, both features of
a Sharp-tailed (Kaufman 1987). The wings “may” be matching
or longer than the tail. Thoughts? I was not able to see the
breast.

-- 
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@...