Date: 6/25/25 12:57 pm From: Rubba Johanna via groups.io <jer72701...> Subject: [slocobirding] Help with ID
Doing the shorebird survey this morning, we came across a wader picking along a rock formation in the water off Ocean Drive in Shell Beach at the end of Palomar Avenue. The bird mostly resembled a Whimbrel— striped crown, long, downcurved bill, mottled back. The body overall seemed paler than usual, and the bill also not quite so dark. What stood out were the LIGHT BLUE legs, unmistakably light blue. When I looked at similar species on allaboutbirds.org, the closest I found was the Bristle-thighed Curlew. The bird I saw was a very close match for the Curlew, as unlikely as that may be. I didn’t know to look for the rufous tail, which could have clinched the ID. Is a visit from this bird plausible? When I saw the similarity, I returned to the site to try to find the bird, but it was gone.
