So chancing upon one at Glasson Point yesterday made the decision to don the wellies and pick my way through the marshy ground all the more satisfying ...
... feeding along with a small group of Redshanks in the shadow from the low sun ...
... as the bird chased around in true Greenshank style the two colour rings on each tibia came into view in the shallower parts of the water ...
... so now eagerly awaiting a reply from the Greenshank project ... where else has this bird been ? ... perhaps a Scottish breeder which would be likely to winter in Britain or perhaps one that might breed in northern Eurasia and undertake a longer migration to equatorial Africa.
Meanwhile thoughts turn to another wader which has made some welcome appearances for me recently ... on 10th November I flushed a Woodcock from low bushes at the end of my garden - wow, a nice bird ! and so unexpected an addition to my garden list ...
... then on 16th November another flushed from near Howgill on the Geltsdale Reserve ...
... and yet another on the 26th November not far away on Tarn Rigg ...
These may well have been Continental migrants - and so disturbing to think that these birds are a legitimate quarry species for hunters - how far we have to go in this country with protecting our diminishing wildlife !
... but back on the Solway and a careful search through a flock of around 500 Dunlins resulted in picking out a single Little Stint ...
... feeding as the birds were among scattered piles of seaweed and rocks, individuals can be easily overlooked ... specially when tail-on ... but then it turned and was more obvious ...
... and then more out in the open and giving nice although distant views in the increasing gloom of the mid-afternoon ...
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