It has to be the Black-tailed Godwit. Anywhere where we have lots of mud you are likely to see these waders.
Now that we have had the water supply restored, and we can start to control the levels in the tanks, the views from Wlidlife Watchpoint and Phil Stead hides will be improving. There is also good mud in the Saltholme pools (which we have no control over) so the hide there gives opportunities for spotting migrating waders.
Thanks to Lockhart for this shot taken there yesterday.
Earlier in the week I was working on the Wilderness Trail (the guide posts have freshly painted tops) and about 50 Black-tailed Godwits took of from the adjacent pools looking much like the photo. A good reason for walking the trail and stopping at the stockade viewpoint.
For close up views try Saltholme Pools or Phil Stead hides and for the large numbers it is worth visiting the hide at Dormans pool.
We were not the only bird-watchers -
Lockhart saw this Sparrow Hawk from Saltholme Pools hide.
Peter