I believe that this is a Western Sandpiper because it was sparrow sized, and it has rufous coloration on the crown, scapulars, and ear coverts. It also has a drooping bill. It is in breeding plumage, but shouldn't it be in Alaska?Observed on algal mats at the mouth of Pismo Creek.
Juvenile Western Sandpiper at Ocean Park, Santa Barbara County, CA on September 26, 2008.DSLRscoped using a Canon EOS 350D, Zeiss Diascope 85 T FL, Zeiss camera adapter, Canon remote switch.