Sometimes it's luck and everything comes together at the same time, this time it was a plan that worked.
I had seen the Spotted Redshank a few times and worked out what it was doing as the tide rose. It would appear when the rising tide was around 25% at Maryton, then move up to the Lurgies, staying there before flying up to the Shelduck Hide area as the tide started to cover the mud.
I'd watched it at Maryton, then the Lurgies, then I left it at the Lurgies and got into a position upstream, where I could stand, hidden behind some gorse. Redshanks began to fly in and only when most of the mud was covered the Spotted arrived. It didn't stay long and moved away from my position to settle on the shingle, then flew off towards Miss Erskine's Bank - job done.
The Lurgies was very quiet with only two separate walkers who passed by before the bird flew in.
I've linked to four videos below, and would say the photos are good for colour and exposure, the videos perhaps a bit darker than to the eye.
I've linked to four videos below, and would say the photos are good for colour and exposure, the videos perhaps a bit darker than to the eye.
Part leucistic Dunlin More News of lead in retail game birds still highly toxic lead in birds for human consumption
I suspect I won't get better photos of the current Spotted Redshank, unless it stays around until it's moult completes, and that's very unlikely. I'd appreciate it coming closer though, these shots were with my P1000 due to the distance, a bit closer and a DSLR would work well in light like this
A useful comparison between the two Redshank species and it shows just how small Dunlin are
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