RSPB Blacktoft Sands with a couple of Little Stints and a wader fest !

 

A cracking morning visit to Blacktoft Sands. Not very often we get things spot on but today we certainly did. The mud infront of Singleton Hide was absolutely covered in waders and with the tide in, they were not going anywhere !

Ruffs, dunlin,  ringed plovers, curlew sandpipers and a couple of little stints,  it doesn't come much better than that!

Curlew Sandpipers

Little Stint - there were 2 out on the mud

Little Stint and Ringed Plover

The mud was covered - it was fantastic !

A fantastic few hours in Singleton Hide with only a handful of other folk enjoying the spectacle

Curlew Sandpipers, RSPB Blacktoft Sands

 

Curlew Sandpipers from Singleton Hide at Blacktoft Sands

Spotted Redshank still out on the mud

and masses of hornets in the corner of the toilet block. Very busy so a quick snap and retreat !

Curlew Sandpipers, RSPB Blacktoft Sands

 

Three from Singleton Hide, afraid never close. A few other waders to see which was nice.

and not forgetting the hornets in the toilet roof

Curlew Sandpipers, Blacktoft Sands

 

A good hour in Singleton Hide, plenty of waders but these 2 curlew sandpipers were the main attraction. Pity about the ten million black thunder flies that made staying impossible !

Blacktoft Sands

A few waders from Singleton Hide a couple of weeks ago, the day before the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper turned up. A couple of very enjoyable hours in the hide with plenty on the lagoon including Dunlin,  Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Ruff and a good supporting cast. A few pics below. 

and lots of Pink-footed Geese over