Greenshank

One of my favourite waders (there are many) is the Greenshank. I just love it's crisp white and grey colouration. I don't see them that often, so that also adds to my enjoyment when I do get to see one. On an annual basis I tend to see them when they turn up locally in the Spring. At this time of year they are on passage and don't tend to stay on site very long before moving off again. 

The particular bird photographed here I have been lucky to find on it's wintering patch, meaning that I was able to visit it on a number of occasions. At low tide on the mud flats of the Norfolk coast this bird likes to wander up and down probing for food. I secreted myself behind some boats so as not to disturb it, and was able to spend a good amount of time observing. 

Greenshank

With an Oystercatcher for company

This time with a Redshank (right). The Greenshank didn't really tolerate this one.

Norfolk at Easter

I've just spent a week at my parents in Norfolk, which to most birders in the UK is birding Mecca. I saw lots of birds, added lots of year ticks, and yet I feel there was much more that I could have seen. Right time and right place was what it was all about. I missed out on a number of birds by minutes, and others by not quite being in the right place. That's birding, and tomorrow is another day. Just need to keep getting out there and see what turns up.
I can't complain really, I had some great early mornings and the weather was good too, despite a rather cold easterly wind. One bird that I really wasn't expecting to see was a Greenshank at Morston. It's a bird I usually have to make a concerted effort to see each year, so this was a real bonus.

Greenshank workings it's way through the muddy estuary.

Here with a Curlew. A good size comparison.

Never easy to locate, but this Grey Partridge popped up nicely on my walk.

A really good looking male Northern Wheatear. One of the highlights. They popped up everywhere.

The Greenshank and Snipe

The waders are moving around at the moment, and I had some great views of two in particular at the weekend. A Greenshank and the Common Snipe. The Snipe is one of my favourite birds. Very peculiar looking with a ridiculously long bill for the birds size, but useful for probing the ground for food.
The Geeenshank has long legs and guess what? They are green. It is a very graceful bird as it walks around the edges of the shore line.

Common Snipe, with it's great bill.

The juvenile Greenshank and Snipe together.

Are you looking at me?

Greenshank

My apologies for these three very poor shots, but they have to be shared due to the nature of the bird.
Having told my wife I will just be popping to Woodford for a few minutes, just so I could convince myself that there was nothing of any note around, I stopped the car and saw a large wader on the opposite side of the pool. My initial thought was, that's a very big Common Sandpiper. But I knew it wasn't a Sandpiper, it was Redshank size. I'd left my scope at home, but I really needed it to be sure it was a Greenshank. I made a call to someone I knew would know, and just from a brief description over the phone John was onto it straight away. Ten minutes or so later, he confirmed instantly after stepping out of his car. A Greenshank in Stockport!!! Fortunately quite a few people were able to get along to see it, and with better views than these shots. What a corker?