Greenshanks have a confident poise combined with a certain grace that we find utterly captivating, and although described below as ‘elusive’ they are not always so. During one of our visits to the tip of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, during which we had a couple of inches of snow (!), a Greenshank took up residence where a freshwater stream ran over the shore to the sea just in front of our rental cottage. It was a strange experience to be sitting in our cottage watching a Greenshank foraging only a few metres away, instead of being crouched behind a rock viewing one in the far distance through our binoculars. We took several photos and reproduce one below. Taken through double glazing with only a 100mm Macro lens, they are not of the best quality, but they bring back happy memories of this wonderful experience.
Usually we find Greenshanks are an elusive species, not given to joining others in groups in the way that Redshanks often do. Certainly when scanning the shores in the west of Scotland, we never expect to see one and count ourselves lucky to do so. Redshanks frequently give voice to their two-note call: Tyu too, tyu too, but we have only heard Greenshanks’ call a handful of times and it is a clear and exuberant Too-too-too-too-too (the number of repetitions varies) that seems to ‘carry’ for quite long distances.
For us this is a very special species, charismatic, with a unique appeal
Lee
Usually we find Greenshanks are an elusive species, not given to joining others in groups in the way that Redshanks often do. Certainly when scanning the shores in the west of Scotland, we never expect to see one and count ourselves lucky to do so. Redshanks frequently give voice to their two-note call: Tyu too, tyu too, but we have only heard Greenshanks’ call a handful of times and it is a clear and exuberant Too-too-too-too-too (the number of repetitions varies) that seems to ‘carry’ for quite long distances.
For us this is a very special species, charismatic, with a unique appeal
Lee