Autumn Waders

[Steve G]

Lochandubh sits behind Gowk Ness on the eastern Scottish coast. Its privileged position attracts interesting autumn waders especially after easterly winds and if the water levels stay favourable. The site has one big drawback-public access is discouraged & only distant views are obtainable.
Below is a photoselection of this autumns birds-many are poor or distant views. None are nearctic waders.They are grouped in 4 blocks of 4. Suggest you number each block in order & identify each bird in the block as top right(TR), top left(TL), bottom right(BR) & bottom left (BL). Number the birds in the flight shot as 1-3 in order............ Sadly I have been unable to secure Jane T's "Woolies pics" as first prize though if the Swarowski sponsorship deal comes through that may change. Good luck. ;)

[Steve G]

Block 3:

[Steve G]

Block 4 & flight pics:

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Steve,

Names laid out as on photos (top left = top left, etc)

1
Greenshank - Ruff
Curlew Sand - Spotshank

2
Greenshank - juv Redshank
Dunlin (?) - Common Sandpiper

3
Dunlin - Greenshank
Dunlin (?) - Greenshank

4
Spotshank - islandica Blackwit
Common Sand - Temminck's Stint

5
Greenshank - Spotshank - Ruff

Michael

[Steve G]

Take a closer look Michael. The JPEG compression has caused some distortion making it harder than I meant it to be. You did badly in block 2 getting 1/4 & others wrong elsewhere. Can't say too much as I'll give the show away.

[Bluetail]

Instant impressions - without much thought:

Block 1

Greenshank - Wood Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper - Spotted Redshank

Block 2

Greenshank - Redshank
Curlew Sand - Green Sand

Block 3

Dunlin - Wood Sand
Black-tailed Godwit - Greenshank

Block 4

Spotshank - Bar-tailed Godwit
Wood Sand - Little Stint

Flying

Marsh Sandpiper - Spotshanks - ?Ruff?

[Steve G]

Instant impressions - without much thought:

Block 1 =2/4

Greenshank - Wood Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper - Spotted Redshank

Block 2 =2/4

Greenshank - Redshank
Curlew Sand - Green Sand

Block 3 =3/4

Dunlin - Wood Sand
Black-tailed Godwit - Greenshank

Block 4 =1/4

Spotshank - Bar-tailed Godwit
Wood Sand - Little Stint

Flying

Marsh Sandpiper - Spotshanks - ?Ruff? >YOU DID ONE BETTER THAN MICHAEL ON THE FLYERS!

[Jane Turner]

Only time for one block... 1


TL... Looks like a Y-legs, but no neararctics!, sturcture says greenshank, but where it it get all that spangling/notches...which leaves me with Wood Sand...but it looks way too long legged, and possibly billed... So an unconvinced Wood Sand that is somehow distorted.

BL
Looks like a juv Curlew sand....again the structure looks funny, but the face pattern and peachy wash look right. So a wee bit more confident on this one.

BR.. I can't see a bird unless I turn up the light on on the monitor, then I see something that might be a spotted redshank.

TR looks weird, pin headed and out of proportion. So I'll apply the if it look funny its probably a ruff law.

[Jane Turner]

Block 2

TL Greenshank...though some nagging doubts about Blackwit

TR Redshank

BR Common Sand...but again the shape is soooo distorted

Bl Eek. I think it has to be a Dunlin though I'd be wanting a better look to rule out a Broad Billed Sand

[Jane Turner]

Block 3... is a bit blooming dark!

TR looks like a Wood Sand

BR I'd put down as a greenshank in fading light...though it may be a Marsh Sand

TR Best guess is Dunlin on its hunching

BL Looks like a stint. Lets guess Little

[Jane Turner]

Block 4

TL Spotshank...

TR Black tailed Godwit

BR ....looks deformed. Dunlin as a guess

BL is up a Tree so I'm guessing Temminck's Stint

[Jane Turner]

Flyers.. Marsh Sand, Spot Red and Ruff

[Joern Lehmhus]

I´ll try, but I didn´t get the dark images much lighter and If I try to enlarge them some more after I have clicked on them my computer goes on strike (probably I should go back to work, but this is Fun!)

with Block 1

greenshank-Ruff
Curlew sandp-spottshank

Block 2

Greenshank-Redshank
Temminks-Common Sp

Block 3

Dunlin-Wood Sp
Blackwit-Greenshank

Block 4

Spottshank-Blackwit
Green Sp- Temmincks

Flying

Marsh Sp-Spottshank-Ruff

[Jane Turner]

Block 2 top right has been bothering me... I think its another distorted Ruff.

[Jane Turner]

and that block 2 BL still has me thinking Broad-billed, though I can't make it any more than an impression. Its the bill shape and stance mostly.

[Brian Stone]

Had a go at these before looking at other's answers.

Block 1
Wood Sandpiper - Ruff
Curlew Sandpiper - Spotted Redshank

Block 2
Greenshank - Redshank
Dunlin - Green Sandpiper

Block 3
Dunlin - Wood Sandpiper
Little Stint - Greenshank

Block 4
Spotted Redshank - Black-tailed Godwit
Temminck's Stint - Little Stint

Flight shots
Marsh Sandpiper - Spotted Redshank (3), Ruff (at back) - Ruff

Now lets see what others thought.

[Joern Lehmhus]

Another guess for Block 2

Marsh Sp-Spotshank
Broadbilled Sp-Common Sp

Jörn

[Steve G]

Between everyone all images have been correctly labelled.........- except for one image in block4. Nobody has got all images correct (the nearest is 15/19). ;)

[Jane Turner]

The one that no one has got in block 4 has to be one of the bottom ones... Both Godwits have been picked... and surely TL is a Spreddie.

BR is a calidrid and still really does look like a Dunlin to me, mainly on the scruffy underparts.... and its also been named as Little Stint and Temmincks, so surely that means some on has it right?

So is it the arboreal silhouette we need to clinch?

Green Sand, Wood Sand and Temminck's are already named for that....

[Steve G]

Aye, the packs closin' in!

[Jane Turner]

I'm stuffed..can't get past Temmincks for that one...what else is that shape AND sits in trees. HELP someone.

[Jane Turner]

By logic I guess TR 4 is a Barwit too.

[jtibbetts]

I'll have a go:

Block 1: Wood Sand Ruff
Curlew Sand Spotted Redshank

Block 2: Greenshank Ruff?
Curlew Sand Common Sand

Block 3: Dunlin Wood Sand
Little Stint Greenshank

Block 4: Spotted Redshank Blackwit
Common Sand Temmincks Stint?

Flight: Greenshank Spotted Redshank Ruff

[Steve G]

All the blocks have individually been successfully ID'ed by at least one person now apart from block 2. "Reflect" on block 2 & dont stagnate! ;)

[Steve G]

Jane, it would only be that shape if I was sitting in the tree almost level with it. Picture taken from the ground. For any subscribers allied to rare bird protection please note that no schedule 1 birds were photographed on breeding territory (thats not a singing Temmincks-honest).

[Tim Allwood]

in the tree - a Com. Sand......?

[Michael Frankis]

I'm stuffed..can't get past Temmincks for that one...what else is that shape AND sits in trees. HELP someone.
I said Common Sandp ages ago on that one! Look at that long tail sticking out way beyond the wingtips. And its a classic Common Sand pose (yes they do perch on branches like that!).

Michael

[Jane Turner]

I know you had.. I thought that was the bird that no one had got right... I was wrong it seems!

[Michael Frankis]

Just been checking up past records - as I thought, there are NO Scotland east coast autumn records of Marsh Sandpiper.

So that species can be discounted . . . unless Steve has been pulling wool over our eyes and included one of the spring records . . .

Michael

[Tim Allwood]

So are we right?

sorry for missing the post Michael - don't have time to read all the posts - I have to work ;)


at least it's good to know I think along the same lines as the master - for some of them anyway ;) ;)

[CJW]

at least it's good to know I think along the same lines as the master - for some of them anyway

But I haven't posted on this thread......;)

[Michael Frankis]

Harry Hussey has asked me to post this for him (the BF server was down when he tried posting and he wasn't able to wait for it to return)
------

Block 1:
TL: think it must be a Wood Sandpiper, but not sure. TR: Ruff.
BL: Juv. Curlew Sandpiper. BR: Spotted Redshank(at night!).

Block 2:
TL: Marsh Sandpiper? (the clue "don't stagnate" denoting Trings stagnitalis?). TR: Redshank.
BL: Agree with Jane, a Broad-billed Sand vibe here, but wouldn't claim it as one on such views! BR: Green Sandpiper.

Block 3:
TL: Dunlin. TR:Wood Sandpiper.
BL: Little Stint (ad. s. if it is one). BR: Greenshank.

Block 4:
TL: Spotted Redshank. TR: Black-tailed Godwit.
BL: Common Sandpiper. BR: Temminck's Stint.

"Flyers"(L-R):
Marsh Sandpiper - Spotted Redshank - Ruff

Harry H

-------

[Brian Stone]

OK I'll have another go. I think this is going to be similar to MF's last attempt.

Block 1
Wood Sandpiper - Ruff
Curlew Sandpiper - Spotted Redshank

Block 2
Marsh Sandpiper - Redshank
Broad-billed Sandpiper - Green Sandpiper

Block 3
Dunlin - Wood Sandpiper
Little Stint - Greenshank

Block 4
Spotted Redshank - Black-tailed Godwit
Common Sandpiper - Temminck's Stint (though the head pattern is confusing)

Flight shots
Marsh Sandpiper - Spotted Redshank (3), Ruff (at back) - Ruff

[Michael Frankis]

Lochandubh sits behind Gowk Ness on the eastern Scottish coast. Its privileged position . . .
Does this place exist?

I've just done a search for both names on streetmap.co.uk and google, and neither produces any results for eastern Scotland (there is a Lochandubh Kennels in Oban, though!)

Added to that there's a couple of pics which a lot of folk are saying is Marsh Sandpiper, and I have to agree, they do look like it. Yet a search of Birdguides database produces no autumn records of Marsh Sandpiper for the Scottish east coast, neither this year nor at any time in the past . . . .

C'mon Steve, what's the truth behind these photos!

Michael

[Jane Turner]

I sort of assume that its a make believe place!

[Steve G]

Hi all, Sorry meant to post this last night but couldn't get the server to upload files................................... Harry H. wins the coconut! :clap:
The more contentious images are reposted with better views below:
Curlew sand & Broad-billed Sand & Wood sand & Marsh sand

[Steve G]

............... and Little & Temmincks stint & Green & Common sands:

[Jane Turner]

Thanks Steve. That was fun!

[Steve G]

Michael I see this wee quiz sent you scurrying off to the record lists & the ordnance survey maps.
>>>>>> Take the A1 to Edinburgh > Forth road Bridge > M90 > 2nd turnoff after Kinross signed to St Andrews>>>> follow this to the roundabout outside Auchtermuchty > go 3 times round the roundabout & take the third turnoff signed to Brig O' Doon the site is just past there. Access is currently restricted to those with a Scottish Granny! ;)

[Joern Lehmhus]

Cool, never saw a Common Sandp. sit on a branch, only Green Sandpiper..

this is absolute fun; pleeaaase go on with this Steve and Jane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jörn

[Steve G]

Hat off to you Michael-you were right to smell a rat. The Temmincks,Little, Wood & Broad-billed Sands pics were taken in Lesvos in August this year. The Marsh sand, flight shot(all the flight images were from the one picture of a mixed flock of waders) & Curlew Sand pictures were taken in Mallorca last month. The rest were taken locally in August> October at Torrybay in Fife, Musselburgh lagoons & Aberlady (I think). The Common sand really was up a tree -I had to overexpose the sky to show any detail on the bird. It sang/called from that tree regularly- the picture was taken in Glen Clova in May. Apologies to anyone I misled. All of you, without exception have scored more than I would have. I'll post the best of the Marsh sand images in the gallery later. Cheers.

[Michael Frankis]

He he he, rumbled you! :king:

Michael I see this wee quiz sent you scurrying off to the record lists & the ordnance survey maps.
>>>>>> Take the A1 to Edinburgh > Forth road Bridge > M90 > 2nd turnoff after Kinross signed to St Andrews>>>> follow this to the roundabout outside Auchtermuchty > go 3 times round the roundabout & take the third turnoff signed to Brig O' Doon the site is just past there. Access is currently restricted to those with a Scottish Granny! ;)
That's OK I can visit then, my paternal grandmother's maiden name was Maclean, so I'm one quarter Scots (as well as half Danish on the other side).

I was pretty sure right from the start (even before checking!) that there were no Scot E coast autumn Marsh Sands - that's why I put Greenshank even though they looked like Marsh ;)

Michael

[Harry Hussey]

Hi all,
Firstly,thanks to Michael for posting my entry when I was unable to do so:will send some coconut milk on when I've eaten the rest!;)
Secondly,I'm glad that I didn't have a clue whether or not there were any Scottish east coast autumn Marsh Sands....
Harry H