This weekend I headed to my local wetland to check on the arrival of the summer waders.
at 6am my friend Chris and I were walking along the track armed with our binoculars and cameras to see the first wader of the day which turned out to be a Wood's Sandpiper. Very nice.
The second wader of the morning was found a few seconds later, a Ruff! We enjoyed some time trying to photograph it in the early morning light. It was not bothered by out presence however it did not come in close and most of the time preferred feeding in the shade.
Ruff at sunrise
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper numbers are increasing.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Purple Swamphen
Immature Willy Wagtail
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
I returned to the wetland in the late afternoon and at sunset the Ruff flew in closer. I only managed to take a few photos before it retreated back to a small island.
Ruff at sunset
