The e-bird alert I received lists it as Semipalmated Sandpiper, but that has a dark beak and legs. What about a Least Sandpiper? Or better yet just a sandpiper.
I dont think the tertials on semipalmated and least and pectoral ever have the spotted edges, (which look like perhaps a steak knife). On them, the center is dark with a continuous light margin. Which on this bird rules out Calidris and makes it likely Tringa , among Tringa there are some I cant tell apart , which is where my doubt lies. The lemony yellow green color of the legs rules out both the yellowlegs which are kind of a school-bus yellow or orange.
Pectorals do cruise through our area somewhere around now , but the the tertials ... suggest its not. A Semipalmated sandpiper may have been around but this may not be that bird. Least sandpiper is really very diminutive , with tiny dark down-turned bill.
Why not just call it sandpiper? well, this is just my sentiment but in looking to identify species, one learns to
see more about the bird , appreciate it, get to know its migration and its little bird life in general .