Green Sandpiper

An early Autumn visit to Martin Mere allowed me to get good close views of a Green Sandpiper. I'd seen one or two in the Spring as they moved through my local area, but each were at quite some distance. This one kindly patrolling the muddy margins just outside of one of the hides. Never too easy to watch if out in the open, as they get spooked quite easily, so this was a nice treat to be able to sit and watch it do it's thing.

Green Sandpiper

This is quite often as good as a view gets of a Water Rail. This one caught my eye for just the few seconds it showed itself from the reeds, before disappearing again into the undergrowth.

Water Rail

Snipes Pool

Snipes Pool is more often than not 'quiet' whenever I stop to have a look at it when I am in Norfolk. Barring the usual Little Egrets, Mallard and Tufted Duck it has always seemed a little disappointing. This doesn't stop me looking every time, because you just never know.

A few weeks back I did my usual early morning pull in, in hope more than expectation. I was not disappointed on this occasion with a good few waders on it and some interesting birds in the trees around it.

A couple of Green Sandpipers were in amongst the cut reeds.

A nice juvenile Ruff

This Lesser Whitethroat was a nice surprise, just a shame it was so gloomy. Nice to watch through the binoculars at close quarters all the same.

A very obliging Water Rail stayed out in view for a few minutes, which is better than the few seconds you normally get, if you're lucky.

Three Common Sandpipers were also around.

Curlew Sandpiper - Burton Mere

A look back to the Summer months, when I took a trip to the Wirral and Burton Mere wetlands. A couple of year ticks were added, in the shape of this Curlew Sandpiper with its superbly curved bill, and a Green Sandpiper.

Both birds stayed fairly distant, but thankfully the light was quite decent. Here is the Curlew Sandpiper. 

Showing typical stance.

Green Sandpiper in the background and Curlew Sandpiper in front.

Green Sandpiper

A sure sign that Summer is drawing to a close is the return of the waders. As much as I love the Spring and the incoming migrants from Africa, the close of Summer brings passage migrants on their way back home. Waders are quite possibly my favourite type of bird, so it was great to once again catch up with some Green Sandpipers on Sunday. Four of them in fact. They were asleep at first, but then became more active and went foraging for food. They came quite close to the hide, but not close enough for my liking. I'd like to get out there and cuddle them. I'll have to make do with these shots for now.

2011 Highlights (Part 2 of 3)

Sandpipers of all varieties were seen throughout the summer. Although sadly, the one I wanted (Wood Sandpiper) escaped me, as I missed it on several occasions in Altrincham.

Green Sandpipers were plentiful at Pennington Flash, Leigh, as was the Common Sandpiper. A less common variety that I did manage to see was the Curlew Sandpiper.
My Waterbird/Wader highlight was probably the Avocet. Quite common on East coastal sites of the UK, but the one I saw was inland in Greater Manchester. Running the Avocet close, was the Water Rail I saw in the Lea Valley with my Dad. It gave great views dashing through the reed beds. Sadly I didn’t get any good shots of either, but here are some of the Green Sandpipers.

Green Sandpiper

These three weren't a crowd for me.

A nice shot with wings spread.