This has turned out to be a great bird to challenge us and a fun discussion. Now looking at this photo I withdraw my earlier suggestions on it being a Pectoral and am agreeing with Cliff’s suggestion it is a Western. It is so interesting on how posture and lighting can make a bird appear different. I was also worried about the light streaking but I had just seen earlier that day two Pectorals with streaking about that light. (I had actually thought they might be Westerns until a flock of Westerns flew in and surrounded them – it really helps to have a known bird for comparison.) As far as Bairds, I would expect a much more long winged elongated shape.

Thanks Linda for throwing the photos up here.

Scott

No sign of the Red Phalarope.  Actually very few shorebirds at the reservoir.  

It’s about 200 feet or so east of the silo. Hanging out with terns and forester gull.

Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho