[EBB Sightings] Little Stint

I arrived at the Albany mudflats around 10:35 this morning, and the tide was 
already nearly up to the pickleweed.  Within five minutes, I spotted a peep 
that was clearly smaller and more rufous than the surrounding Westerns, and got 
the scope on it.  It was hard to keep the scope on it because it was dashing 
around so much, very active in running and feeding movements compared to the 
Westerns.  When it did pause, I saw black legs, a thin short bill, rufous or 
buff edges to the feathers well down into the wing, including the scapulars, 
coverts and tertials, and white lines on the mantle, forming a V, with the open 
end of the V at the nape.  The overall shape of the bird was rounded and 
compact, with the wingtips the same length as the tail.  At one point the bird raised 
its right foot, and I'm nearly certain that I saw no webbing between the toes.

Going by the various guides, it appears to me, being no expert on stints, 
that the bird is an adult, as it showed no pale nape, and showed rufous or buff 
throughout the folded wing structure.

The best portrayal I could find to match this bird is a painting by Lars 
Jonnson in "American Birds", summer of 1987 issue, on page 227, "b: Little Stint, 
somewhat worn".

The stint was on the nearest mudflats, where the creek enters the bay, a few 
yards south, toward the freeway from the nearer viewing platform.  It was 
across the channel from me, and before flying off, it was quite close, within 
forty feet perhaps.  The tide quickly covered up the last of the mud, and the 
entire peep flock took off to the north.  Kevin McKereghan was nearby and thought 
that the flock went to the shell mounds just south of Central Avenue, but by 
now the tide will be heading out, and the mud reappearing.  I hope someone can 
get a photo of this bird!  This site is on Buchanan St in Albany, just west of 
I-80, well before you reach the racetrack.
Brian Fitch