It's that time of year again when waders that have failed to breed in the Tundra regions start to return, looking for wet mud to stick their long bills into for midge larvae and other wriggly delights. These waders are still in their breeding plumage and look their very best. However, this year the dry and windy weather here at Saltholme has meant there is more than the usual amount of wet mud edge for them. This week we're hosting up to 31 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 4 Little Ringed Plover and 3 Greenshank.
A Black-tailed Godwit, by Lockhart Horsburgh.
The high tide earlier in the week even resulted in a couple of very red Knot appearing on the Saltholme Pools. At this time of year, and in these conditions, I'm sure there will plenty more surprises.