Hobbes2
Well-known member
Info on Ruff IDs
Thanks for the info TringBirder. I'm sorry that it didn't stick around for others to enjoy. I was there from about 11:10am til 12:45pm during which time it was present.
I had a look at BirdGuides description of Ruff plumage and thought I'd copy it here for completeness (http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057086):
"Ruffs are taller and leggier than Dunlins, the males being about the size of a Redshank, the females, known as Reeves, being Wood Sandpiper-sized. In all plumages they look rather fat-bodied but small-headed and short-billed, and their upperparts are usually well-patterned with brown and buff. The juveniles show an immaculate scaly pattern above. Ruff leg colours vary, so don't be surprised to find one with legs as red as a Redshank. And look out for birds showing signs of summer plumage, especially white-headed, white-chested males looking quite unlike anything in most bird books. In flight they look relatively long-winged with a narrow pale wing bar but striking white oval patches in the sides of the tail."
Thanks
Hobbes
As someone who watches Wilstone virtually daily, myself and most of the regular birders there are disappointed if we don't see Ruff during a year. But then I think that Wilstone does account for most of the Herts records and I have averaged two to three different occurrences a year in the past five years.
I can also tell you that it wasn't there first thing yesterday morning nor this morning.
Thanks for the info TringBirder. I'm sorry that it didn't stick around for others to enjoy. I was there from about 11:10am til 12:45pm during which time it was present.
I had a look at BirdGuides description of Ruff plumage and thought I'd copy it here for completeness (http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057086):
"Ruffs are taller and leggier than Dunlins, the males being about the size of a Redshank, the females, known as Reeves, being Wood Sandpiper-sized. In all plumages they look rather fat-bodied but small-headed and short-billed, and their upperparts are usually well-patterned with brown and buff. The juveniles show an immaculate scaly pattern above. Ruff leg colours vary, so don't be surprised to find one with legs as red as a Redshank. And look out for birds showing signs of summer plumage, especially white-headed, white-chested males looking quite unlike anything in most bird books. In flight they look relatively long-winged with a narrow pale wing bar but striking white oval patches in the sides of the tail."
Thanks
Hobbes
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