LGRE called mid-afternoon to say that he wasn't keen on the idea that wader at the res was a Temminck's Stint. Alarm bells started ringing as I had initially gone along with other observers views of the bird on the Thursday evening before getting home and then questioning what I had seen.
My view was of a bird with a pale super, white chin, breast band and what seemed to be quite patterned though this was in poor light. I got home and looked up pictures of Temminck's Stint in autumn plumage and couldn't find a match and the nearest thing I could see was a Least Sandpiper but having never seen this species I was not prepared to call it. I decided to call a few mates to see what they thought. In the end I called a reservoir regular and he had a look in the morning in again poor light conditions and thought it probably was a Temminck's. Several other birders also saw this bird and no one queried its appearance.
It wasn't until LGRE visited on Tuesday that these issues again came to light. LGRE was 100% sure it wasn't a Temminck's Stint and suggested Least or Long-toed...several of us spent the rest of the evening looking at the bird which seemed to feed in a strange manor. All observers present commented on its similarities with Wilson's Phal and Wood Sand behaviour. Again the white chin, breast band and rufous-capped head were noted. With the light failing quickly it was summised that it was most likely a Least Sand however pictures/video would definitly be needed for a positive id.
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