I know, it’s a bit confusing – the green sandpiper isn’t really green; the common sandpiper isn’t all that common; and the wood sandpiper doesn’t live in a wood or even look much like wood. But all three of those birds ARE at Old Moor right now!
Here’s today’s summary of sightings…
The gravel-patterned back of the wood sandpiper was seen on the Wader Scrape today though the bird seemed to spend most of its time feeding around the furthest island there.
For green and common sandpipers, try Wath Ings and the Mere respectively.
‘Common sand’ in flight across the Mere today
On the Reedbed Trail, many visitors today were captivated by two juvenile bearded tit. These birds were showing best near the Reedbed Screen.
On my visit today I couldn’t help but notice that the five remaining young shelduck are practising their flying skills, making small circuits of the Mere and Scrape.
Not one of my best, but you get the idea!
Spring may be well and truly over, but there are still lots of younger birds about. One brood of four young ducks caught my eye this afternoon on the Wader Scrape. So I’ll finish tonight’s blog with a picture of two of the four and an invitation to identify the species.
Until next time
Typical of the naming of birds! Pick the least significant feature and call it that? At least a blackbird is black...or at least 50% of them are!