Thursday 14 October 2010

Another American wader...

After seeing the Spotted Sandpiper on the Exe recently I didn't expect to be returning to Devon for another American wader so soon. But a work commitment in West Dorset on Wednesday put me within reasonably easy reach of Seaton Black Hole Marsh. The Solitary Sandpiper gave excellent views. Birders compared the differences with the Green Sandpipers also present but the key ID feature for me was the fact that you would never get that close to a Green Sand! When they did get together the differences were quite striking - the Solitary a paler bird with none of the rich brown colour of Green, and looking much sleeker and longer winged, plus the obvious difference of the dark rump seen in flight (lower photo). Top marks to East Devon District Council for their work on this reserve, no longer their best kept secret.

No comments:

Post a Comment