[FrankonGabriola]

I saw this flock of shore birds in Drumbeg park yesterday morning on Gabriola
looking at my birding books I believe they are either Snipes or Dunlin
can someone properly ID them for me
thanks

15. Birds by Frank Gab&Tor, on Flickr

14. Birds by Frank Gab&Tor, on Flickr

[Owlet]

These are dunlins, Snipes are usually solitary or in small groups and are very secretive in marshes and grassy fields, and are usually in groups of 2-5. They do not fly that much unless spooked, and have longer bills. They also have white stripes on their back. Dunlins are much more common on mudflats and can congregate in groups up to tens of thousands of birds, and often mix in with Least Sandpipers, western sandpipers, and other small sandpipers.

I hope this helps !

[VancouverBirder15]

These are Dunlin. Snipes are much more elusive and are rarely seen out in the open. There's also a few Surfbirds and Black Turnstones in your second shot (the larger birds are the Surfbirds and the ones with more white on the wings being the turnstones). Great shots!

[courtjcam]

Welcome to the forum, Frank! Nice-looking flock of shorebirds you got there!

[FrankonGabriola]

thank you all for your help and the warm welcome, my interest is primarily photography and not birding but if you live in a place like Gabriola which has so much wildlife you have to try and acquire a bit of knowledge. This search for information started with my post on the Gabriola facebook page with the following picture which doesn't really show the birds very well but it got people curious about what I had captured.

17. Birds by Frank Gab&Tor, on Flickr