Photo-feature: Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri

 


 

Nesting only in eastern Russia (in small numbers) and Alaska, the Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri is marginally the largest of the stints and can recall a small Dunlin.

A vagrant as far east as Lake Baikal, the species has been recorded in Japan but not yet in South Korea - though it is entirely feasible that it could arrive here with other eastern breeding shorebirds including Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis, with which it shares a similarly drab non-breeding plumage.

 

All photographs © Charlie Moores. Taken at Bolsa Chica, California (September).


Juvenile Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Juvenile Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Juvenile Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.


Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 01 2004.