Sunday 22 March 2015

Mystery Wader

Without a scope, we struggled long and hard over this wader. The very dark patch on its left shoulder was quite confusing. It crossed our minds that it could have been a Green Sandpiper.

Common Sandpiper with very black left shoulder

Common Sandpiper with very black left shoulder

Common Sandpiper with very black left shoulder

It was not till it flew into the water and turned around that we were able to properly identify it.

Common Sandpiper with very black left shoulder

Common Sandpiper with very black left shoulder

Common Sandpiper

The next sighting was right beside our car – spotted luckily by Sally. There were three of them.

Greater Painted Snipes

Greater Painted Snipe – male

Greater Painted Snipe – male

Greater Painted Snipe – female

Greater Painted Snipe – female

Greater Painted Snipe – female

Greater Painted Snipe – female

Greater Painted Snipe – female

Greater Painted Snipe – female

Greater Painted Snipes 3

A few other sightings  in the same general area: The first three photos and last two submitted by Hennie Jordaan.

Three-banded Plover

Three-banded Plover on nest

Three-banded Plover chick

Curlew Sandpiper – changing

Curlew Sandpiper – changing

Ruff, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper changing

White-barred Acraea

Common Ringed Plover

Common Ringed Plover

Common Greenshank

Black-winged Stilt

House Sparrow

Red-billed Teal

Little Stint

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

One bird that has us wondering is this Crossbilled LBJ.

Paul and Sally Bartho