Could identity of these be confirmed

terste · #1 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 06:23 AM

Walking on Slapton sands beach, south devon yesterday, I took some photographs of a group of four birds. I think they are Turnstones but would like to have this confirmed as ones I have seen before have all been darker than this. They were running along the water's edge, avoiding the incoming waves. Be grateful for any help thanks.

diggleken · #2 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 08:09 AM

Hi terste,
these are Sanderling - the behaviour you describe is their busy method of searching for food at the tide edge and is normal, turnstone usually search under stones, as in the name!
Nice pics too.

Cheers
Ken

Jonners · #3 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 08:46 AM

Hi Terste. Confirming what Diggleken has already said, these are Sanderlings, and lovely birds they are too, caught very well by your photos.

They'll become even whiter in winter.

terste · #4 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 08:58 AM

Thanks diggleken

Looking through my RPSB book and their website I thought it was possible that they were Sanderling but the location being on the south-west coast made me doubt it.

Much appreciated