Common Sandpiper, River Eden at Rickerby, 21 July 11 (2 of 3)
Common Sandpiper by the River Eden in Rickerby Park, 21 July 11.
I've seen Common Sandpipers here several times over the past month or so, but have never managed to get near enough to take any decent photos. But today this bird virtually ignored me, allowing a much closer approach. In fact I only had my superzoom camera with me originally, but I thought it might be worth while dashing back home to collect my digiscoping kit in the hope it would still be there when I returned...which thankfully it was! The bird appeared to be in a state of some distress, as it called repeatedly over a period of several hours, as it flew from one rock to another along a short stretch of the river. The water level was very high as a result of recent heavy rainfall, and so perhaps it had nested somewhere on the river bank and the nest was now under water - although this sounds unlikely (but not impossible, according to BTO data) so late in the season.
Estimated distance: 10m
Common Sandpiper, River Eden at Rickerby, 21 July 11 (2 of 3)
Common Sandpiper by the River Eden in Rickerby Park, 21 July 11.
I've seen Common Sandpipers here several times over the past month or so, but have never managed to get near enough to take any decent photos. But today this bird virtually ignored me, allowing a much closer approach. In fact I only had my superzoom camera with me originally, but I thought it might be worth while dashing back home to collect my digiscoping kit in the hope it would still be there when I returned...which thankfully it was! The bird appeared to be in a state of some distress, as it called repeatedly over a period of several hours, as it flew from one rock to another along a short stretch of the river. The water level was very high as a result of recent heavy rainfall, and so perhaps it had nested somewhere on the river bank and the nest was now under water - although this sounds unlikely (but not impossible, according to BTO data) so late in the season.
Estimated distance: 10m