Anyway, it was back to basics with a lifer no less! Blacktoft Sands has hosted a Marsh Sandpiper since the 11th July and whilst I kept thinking it's gonna go (whilst stuck at work all week!) once I'd got news it was still there, I was on my way!
2 1/2 hours later and with the crowd in Singleton hide easing, I was on site, on my list almost immediately but a 'disappearing act' behind the reedbed to the right of the hide meant I was not going to get images easily!
It did of course reeappear and given the distance to the nearest margin, the best I could hope for was record quality shots......
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF83HUsrq20EL0V_Sgg_GGqPFlmznxOiZk6M21xoVz1kj91UmW9JPbF88JlW5_-uT-grsTLfSSRN5sEL6axquZ227ybJUc1TKOLy7pyJZGucfDKgyV5xL5BqYRwbWbAMNaypaZWcL-Xg2/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper++Blacktoft+30+7+11++IMG_4896_filtered.jpg)
That bill could surely never cause an identity crisis and whilst it really shouldn't be confused...... here's the essential Greenshank comparison shot!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOKO9L1fLsoqJx4KYL6laj73q_1CJOZmRK_F3pJQ6L4eOz6ty-OlNzESHMXIKOrdYHep697KNkMcAW6yDLBSNRKdKZB1tw1MYr3_aQ9zH4HOdMkhVZ73IT3ODxWlXVjMM4FCBruiy1Lw2/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+and+Greenshank++Blacktoft+IMG_4920_filtered.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpNPEVHy_lX5ZTFBiNlL9uhOsQy6j4fq8hLDahZGOQYm0vskjkJFwFuET_T6nn14clouTZuZ9uTC4wxzC5GUlF_vZH4J-4dODSL9K0x_Nig_DupJpL8seiWRKs30QTPmoY3GV8170I3sj/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+and+Greenshank+Blacktoft+IMG_4774_filtered.jpg)
Or a Black-tailed Godwit?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7ttDh9Gfm6lwnPxciN1XGp0LR4ndPFU8-kWsaG1syrJhZJgsPJiSJySPCjey9Zio0muX1q9anY6ldehI2izNwEhO9kGpyIhiKSGHbLy5AAD0Jms_WhA26qkAwxJ6uArbgSSE-RRwZ9HS/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+and+Black+tailed+Godwit++Blacktoft+IMG_4899_filtered.jpg)
How about a Ruff.....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHdYT6ivT8wqwBcK8Si1EX0ei-pgGN73mFt7IGYZILw-3aQmt92bJ4OJjQFtbXtn60hBVaMYZ94albli6p7wL17o_HmOxbSn-mA1myMHhbpZySch8r1lMZW4ZYjxrbsVBMEHLIXxkGD5E/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+and+Ruff+Blacktoft+IMG_4431_filtered.jpg)
A couple of flight shots....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWb5RcvKy4e9UTcCVWJMw10bsRkbWlhn00r9cVc2LRlxmFOJNXiCVIN7MVDTVSA78PxLVBX4oQwdMFZ2R6_7-BWlb_wy3IsPDdEIILiEYDWyd1TdR5RKOAtYpv1Vug94fLD8WGWja4-ZE/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+and+Greenshank+flight+Blacktoft+IMG_4880_filtered.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB7zur0eR9X8K67_z1lh-LA2eOd70_W3pdZS1ohyAI9nMDO4bChINoU34-yK-fgNjGlmLLtZtV9RCJENMLd04yuFno8vIpey8L4vYR41YAZYSK5St9vYysRVCjZQ1J8oHHa3JRZUNobVX/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper++flight+Blacktoft+IMG_4784_filtered.jpg)
Undoubtedly the highlight of the day was this closest encounter as it fed in the shallows in front of the hide....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcLg5LIxBy7P208Mc8_kZ6c5XqBa518hhDpPtv1zqZIhmqLQ9yJdt-CCJ_GqvI-lrByEh1sA1PB8Xmofw4x_lKFf3L3-drQGuTK76M3D3x99gnpmvRh3wiEDyANmFWlS6BGVwVghXiINY/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+reflection+xxx++Blacktoft+30+7+11+IMG_4649_filtered.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizTfApt_MiQaDmQLIvzv1kg0HGwpI4RYLvQyJgUePC6o3ZI4Tu6ZH0thVs1NQCsOwtP6NGKS6F9oGJmdyR4LMh8jQDtZbAfRKR9eesA-DDyRLHn0T7u0_EjMApmDmbUgfolx8FkUmR_JT/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+reflection+Blacktoft+30+7+11+IMG_4632_filtered.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uTGlvjoZirc35yEldcmlimkXdZxocfEHWQi9W5l0WrLVk8E20R_DfHMFCg7PFjLVbvw3kYVFaseXNoQ8s990ptrxZHaRQgZDo3_S5IrsypWG3qh8a9jw2ro9NEmGV0Yetj7d8lr0YMn6/s320/Blog+Marsh+Sandpiper+reflection+Blacktoft+30+7+11+IMG_4505_filtered.jpg)
Record shots only but I'll settle for these and 3 - 2 - 1 :-) Quite a few other waders present: Spotted Redshank, Avocet, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe.... A distant view of Spoonbill and Water Rail, Marsh Harriers, numerous Bearded Tit flying around, a pretty good session!