This is the quiet period when migration takes a breather as the birds settle down to breed. I took time out with the camera today with the intention of snapping a few waders in the hills a thirty minute drive from home. Don't forget - click the pics.
Snipe intrigue me. Dumpy, squat little waders that like to hide away in marshy places and rarely make it easy for the camera. In the breeding season the males keep an eye open for trouble along fences or dry stone walls and where with a stealthy approach there’s a chance of a picture or two. I took loads of pictures of one obliging Snipe.
Snipe
Snipe
Snipe
For a minute or more the Snipe took a walk along the fence towards an on-guard Oystercatcher. The Oystercatcher had chicks but Snipe are generally a week or more behind the oyks.
Oystercatcher
Oystercatcher chick
Snipe
Oystercatcher and Snipe
Snipe
Snipe
Up here in the hills Oystercatchers breed in the fields, amongst scattered trees, and also along the beds of stony streams.
Oystercatcher
Oystercatcher chick
I didn't see too many Redshanks today but one of a pair, I think the male, proved pretty obliging. He sounded a warning from a roadside post to the female just yards away on a nest in the rushy field.
Redshank
Lapwings weren’t too numerous and the ones I saw were adults or well grown youngsters so I suspect that the Lapwings are more or less done for this year.
Lapwing
Lapwing
Curlews are the difficult ones. They are very wary of approaching cars where even slowing makes them very prone to fly off. Unlike the other waders up here, Curlews rarely sit on walls and even less so on fence posts.
Curlew
Bowland, Lancashire
Other species seen but not photographed today – 2 Cuckoo, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Pied Flycatcher, several Siskin, 4+ Lesser Redpoll, Mistle Thrush (many), Red Grouse, Grey Wagtail, Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Blackcap.
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11 comments:
Good afternoon Phil: A great day of wader watching to be sure. I am especially attracted to the Common Redshank, probably as much as anything because we don’t see them here. Wilson’s Snipe, which is very similar to your Common Snipe has the same habit of perching on the top of a post, perfect for photographers of course. There are a couple of locations I know of where that kind of image is almost an iconic image of both the species and the location.
All those species occur here too but none are especially common (except the Common Snipe on passage, we have a different breeding species).
I miss the sound of Oystercatchers and Curlews: so evocative on a summer evening.
Beautiful images Phil, the Snipe is my favourite, and the Lapwing came it second.
Lots of places it seems you cannot go to but you did very well with your photos. I love the lapwings, but the snipe is an interesting bird as are all the others.
Have a good weekend Diane
Phil - I can't get over the length of that beak on the snipe … hope he doesn't trip over it as he strolls that length of fence! I am curious about what type of shooting is in progress?
On one of my recent posts, you asked about bears, and whether they are hungry and dangerous in the spring. In general, bears are most dangerous when they are surprised, when a mother is with her young and when a bear is protecting what it considers a food source (could be a carcass or even a berry patch). So, spring can be the most dangerous time particularly because you are more likely to come across a sow with her cubs.
I love how you are able to get such wonderful close ups of these birds.
Hello, Phil!
The Snipe is one of my favorites, also love the Oystercatchers and the Lapwing. The chicks are adorable. Beautiful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.
A wonderful series as always. I especially enjoyed seeing the Redshank and the Curlews. Love the scenic shot at the end, too. Have a wonderful weekend!
You're right about the snipe...those round little bodies and then that long orange beak that seems more suited for a larger bird! Love the shots of them and also the oystercatchers (oh what cute chicks!) and curlews as well. Nice post.
LIving in the Shenandoah Valley of the US, these birds are all new to me and they are marvelous... What a joy it must be to you to see them every day essentially. I love the bird on your header.. may I ask what it is!!
Such a lovely shot of Bowland …
All the best Jan
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