Much smaller bird than Schinzii (background)
with much shorter bill.
Grounded this morning so reluctantly risked a visit to Fly Flatt mid p.m. in 21 degrees on a light SW>2
and cloudy sunshine. Fortunately the SW breeze kept it bearable.
The island that has appeared offshore is working well at attracting the waders with 9 Dunlin showing today plus the usual Redshanks, Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpipers etc.
One of the Dunlin was a much smaller bird with short bill and a smaller belly patch showing signs of the race Artica with can be found passing through May into June on way to breeding grounds in Greenland or on the return journey in autumn on their way to wintering grounds in Africa.
Scoping the Ringed Plovers nest when the sitting bird was feeding, 2 days ago there were 2 eggs then yesterday there was a third larger egg looking like a Common Sandpipers. Today the Ringed Plover had discarded the larger egg by pushing it out of the nest area.
A funny thing yesterday, which I forgot to mention on the blog was as I was stood scanning over the water I heard a loud flapping of wings and a Meadow Pipit landed on my head before dropping down onto the shore. The dogs and me looked with our mouths open in disbelief.
BS