[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]

Originally Posted by Bluetail

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).