Mystery Wader in Tavira

For information of Birdwatchers who are in Eastern Algarve, ( Tavira), on Sunday
1st Jan. at the Santa Lucia salinas, I saw a most unusual wader that I could not
identify with certainty.

It was same size as Curlew Sandpiper (with which it was feeding, so comparison was easy) had short-medium stout, straight beak, black; legs appreared dark, very light
almost white underparts, distinct supercilium and light greyish speckled upper plumage.
Similar to miniature greenshank. Patterned head. Overall impression was of a small female Ruff.

No wing bar noticed when bird flew off.

Best estimate is Female/Juv Sharp Tailed Sanpiper (Calidris acuminata) ;my previous experience of this bird is on spring migration in Far East, so this identification is not reliable and no photo available.

Perhaps someone else can find this mystery bird.

Happy New year to all,
John Burton

J E Burton escreveu:
Best estimate is Female/Juv Sharp Tailed Sanpiper (Calidris acuminata) ;my previous experience of this bird is on spring migration in Far East, so this identification is not reliable and no photo available.

Perhaps someone else can find this mystery bird.

Let's hope so, and the bird is relocated.

I was there yesterday, but not today. Had I known before, I would have tried to photograph the bird.