Venus Pool - Common Sandpiper

There were two Common Sandpipers at Venus Pool today with only one of them showing well for the camera! A pass in front of the Memorial Hide would do nicely!

As close as he could come...

Water levels still very high but hopefully more to come!

Venus Pool - Common Sandpiper

Whilst I normally post a few images of the bird in question, I only had one useable image from this brief encounter with a Common Sandpiper in front of the main hide...

Bits in the way everywhere but, in 'habitat' :-)

Venus Pool - Common Sandpiper

This has to be the closest I've encountered a Common Sandpiper! In a very 'cluttered' spot, I deleted all but these two images as it walked by...

That's two lucky moments in one day!

Lochindorb - local birds

The moors around Lochindorb have become a featureless place managed to please the shooting fraternity? There's plenty of Red Grouse but precious little else...

She's looking a bit grumpy, maybe because the chicks were running amok!

But after stopping the traffic, they were soon in a much warmer / safer place.

As her partner watched on, observing the 'green cross code'....

I think I'm gonna start a 'bird on a rock' portfolio? So here's my first offering Common Sandpiper at the edge of the loch....

And one of 100+  Common Gulls breeding on a nearby moor...

Venus Pool - Common Sandpiper closest

As with the Bramblings, I don't like to feature repeat posts but the Common Sandpiper showed so well this afternoon in light to die for, this had to be done...

Walking by probably the closest bit of margin to any of the hides...

And then doing a return pass...

Hunkered down as it lined up to catch an insect...

sooo small whatever it was?

I think that might be the final offering...

But you never know with this place! The hot spell will break shortly and then hopefully some proper passage...

Common Sandpiper - offbeat action

There were two Common Sandpipers at Venus Pool today, one seemed to be in and out, the other was a showy bird coming quite close to the hide...

Pretty normal head stretching and bobbing...

Gave way to an almost drunken staggering look as it lined up insect prey...

Who ate all the pies?

There's a freshly arrived Sedge Warbler too....

Venus Pool - Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpipers on the move with four present at Polemere (together with a Yellow Wagtail) but better views to be had of the single bird present at Venus Pool!

Dashing around in search of insects...

Success!

Well I suppose it IS a new wader!

Venus Pool - Common Sandpiper

A Common Sandpiper has been present for the past couple of days but usually very distant down by the relocated Sand Martin box (presumably as there's some mud there?) Today was my lucky day as it came within range for some decent images despite the dull conditions.

A quick flight across the pool and here it comes...

Initially appearing a bit wary...

But then, best foot forward, searching for small insects...

Just one brief moment in the open, free from clutter!

But it didn't last long!

A little light relief from Osprey vigil, at least two reported over Shropshire airspace today but no joy here...

Venus Pool - Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper are always expected during April and this one was, with a bit of patience, quite obliging!

Especially when it flew on the near bank in front of the hide!

Best foot forward...

Given the high water levels, these and LRPs are probably all we shall see this Spring?