Wildlife Photographic Journals

Summer Sanderling

I normally spend my time in the winter photographing waders when there are large numbers around on the local beaches but it is not something that I have really bothered with much at this time of the year as there are too many other distractions in the shape of summer visiting birds. After a very unsuccessful morning the other day travelling around various places and with not a single photo for my efforts, I decided to check the local beach as the tide was on it way in. To my surprise there was a small group of Sanderling which I can only assume were migrant birds heading northward to their breeding areas, which had stopped off for a refuel. I have not photographed Sanderling in their summer colours before so it was an enjoyable first.

As a quick reminder I have posted a Sanderling in its stark white and grey winter plumage for comparison.

The summer birds are much more colourful with their mottled brown, rust and black coloured feathers.

and of course still behaviour the same with their scurrying antics along the edge of the advancing tide line.

Wading through the shallow water of a receding wave.

This brief little session is a good reminder to make me keep an eye on the local beach a bit more over the next couple of weeks to see if I can find any other summer plumage waders passing through. Certainly easier than taking a trip to Iceland or Greenland!