Nesting only in eastern Russia (in small numbers) and Alaska, the Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri is marginally the largest of the stints and can recall a small Dunlin.

A vagrant as far east as Lake Baikal, the species has been recorded in Japan but not yet in South Korea - though it is entirely feasible that it could arrive here with other eastern breeding shorebirds including Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis, with which it shares a similarly drab non-breeding plumage.

All photographs © Charlie Moores. Taken at Bolsa Chica, California (September).

Juvenile Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Juvenile Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Juvenile Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Western Sandpiper, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004

Juvenile (left) and non-breeding Western Sandpipers, Bolsa Chica, Los Angeles, September 1 2004