Can anyone identify these birds?

[julie_73]

Hi, for the last few days I have noticed a flock of birds on Cleethorpes beach which I haven't seen before. I can't find them in my bird book so I was wondering if anyone knew what they are. They are about tern size, black on top, white underneath and with a short square tail with a white band on it. The nearest bird I can find to it is a Great Shearwater but they shouldn't be on the east coast. I have taken some photos but I'm not very technological and haven't figured out yet how to post these on!

[Gill Catton]

They couldn't be turnstone in winter plumage could they? Though these are a bit on the small side for your description
or possibly Lapwing? these can appear very black and white especially in flight.
The only truly black and white birds as you describe would be oystercatchers but then you would have probably mentioned the bright orange beak?

[aeshna5]

Julie, they definitely won't be Great Shearwaters as they are deep sea birds which you won't see on our beaches unless it's a very sick, stranded bird. They are not easy to see on the mainland, but the south-west in August/ September is best bet, normally a mile out to sea! This time of year they should be at their breeding grounds in south Atlantic off South America.

Like Gill, I suspect we're talking about a species of wader, maybe Lapwing which sort of fits the description. Possibly Turnstone, but this is dark above at rest, but in flight shows considerable white on back + wings as well as tail base.

Any chance of getting a photo?- even a poor image might allow a positive ID.