Wader IDs

[Ukwildlifeo]

I was at Elmley marshes on Monday and looking out the last hide (beyond the edge of nowhere!) there was a group of waders not far away. Are they dunlin? Or perhaps knot (no pun intended!)?





and there was also at least one other species mixed in which looked smaller in the front right of this pic

[PMG]

Absolutely 'knots' The give away characters are green legs, grey backs and the dark 'arrowheads' along the side belly and flanks - plus one with wings open shows a pale wing bar ........... Smashing!

[Jason Claxton]

Yes I agree with PMG.

[Sprout]

this is where i find it so confusing, identifying some of the wading birds. in my rspb 'pocket birds' book, the knot in winter looks like (and is described as having) grey legs and a black bill. in these photos the birds have a definate greeniness to both legs and bill . i have a lot to learn .

[diggleken]

Grey-green legs are the normal description, in good guides!
Collins Bird Guide is good if you are thinking of a new one, you can never have enough if learning, but there can be some discrepancies too.............
Sunlight will also highlight many plumage and bill and leg details, and shade will make them darker, so just beware of lighting effects too!
Never easy.
Good pics though!
Cheers
Ken

[Jonners]

And what about the smaller wader in pic 3? Dunlin?

[PMG]

Sorry yes I missed this - too busy looking at the knots! Yes its a winter plumage dunlin - long-ish beak downcurved, patterning along side of neck to chest, plain back, dark legs - again as with the knot your pic is on the light-setting side and the sunlight is strong and bright so it should have a black beak and slightly more pattern in its back plumage (poss?) some dunlin are very plain in winter

[MagpieMick]

Agree Knot !!

Odd one out is a Dunlin..

[Sprout]

ken, i am thinking of buying a more detailed book, in fact i had a look at the few they had at conway rspb when i was there yesterday. i've seen collins recommended before on here so that'll probably be my next buy. thanks for your input

[Wild-Woman]

I've got Waders of Europe,Asia and North America, a Helm Field Guide. An absolute must for id'ing waders in my opinion.