Note the rufous plumage around the neck of the stint on the left. This becomes extremely vibrant when the sun hits it directly. Press image to enlarge. © 2009 Ricki Coughlan.

The second year Red-necked Stint with more than a little adult plumage has successfully survived all that a Sydney winter can throw at a rocky headland (which is a bit like being flogged with a wet lettuce leaf – you’ll know what I mean if you’ve lived in Sydney this winter!). To read more about this bird visit the June 29 post.

However, I find this interesting enough to at least publish another image of this bird which offers a nice comparison with another juvenile Red-necked Stint which is more in line with the norms for this species.

This bird will soon be lost in the masses of stints returning from the northern hemisphere in coming weeks.

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Shorebirds by Ricki