Searching (in vain) for Red-necked Stint

Todd Easterla has done it again. He has the uncanny ability to find the vagrants. He is a rare bird magnet. This time it was aRed-necked Stint at the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area in Yolo County (just West of Sacramento, CA). I tried on my lunch break today without success but did have a decent peep study (dare I say "peep show?").


An adult LEAST SANDPIPER. By far the most numerous shorebird species today.



An adult WESTERN SANDPIPER. Note the overall white and gray appearance, large bill with a slight droop at the tip and rufous fringed scapulars.



A juvenal LEAST SANDPIPER. Note the warm brown upper parts, yellow legs and the finely pointed bill.



Another treat was a close encounter with 4 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. Here is an adult with a juvenal in the background.