Purple Sandpiper - New Brighton

This bird is one of my favourite waders. I've only ever seen it twice, and on this occasion there were eleven of them. In February of last year I saw my first one on the rocks at Colwyn Bay. The plumage on these birds is just wonderful. Purplish on top and mainly white underneath. They just look very neat and compact.
This particular group were huddled on a pontoon at New Brighton, on the Wirral. The tide was in and the beach covered. It was time for a little R&R.

They do have two legs. They were all just choosing to use one.

In the background here with a Laughing Gull, (Front) and Turnstones (many).

Turnstones, to the right, are slightly bigger.

Look Who's Laughing Now

I wasn't supposed to be birding at all the weekend just gone. I had my daughter, and if there's one thing she detests, it's standing out in the cold looking at birds for hours on end. But this was different. A Laughing Gull was still showing well on the Wirral, at New Brighton, and with the possibility of some Purple Sandpipers too, I had to get the bribery tools out sharpish. This gull is native to North America, and so is hopelessly off course, and only an hour away from my doorstep. With the promise of a hot chocolate from Starbucks, plus a marshmallow on a stick and that I'd need no more than 15 minutes, we were off and out the door.
We (I) found it almost immediately on the pontoons as promised. A smashing looking bird, in its juvenile winter plumage, almost black legs and bill. A real treat for both Eleanor and I. Well, me. The hot chocolate was appreciated though.

On the pontoon with Turnstones, Redshanks and Purple Sandpiper.