Waterfowl for ID

shadowx · #1 (**permalink**) 25-06-2011, 06:01 PM

Took this over hornchurch country park for ID, had a look through the RSPB identifier but can only really see winter visitor birds.

I cant be 100% but im 95% sure I saw it flying too, fast and acrobatic, pure white underparts and dark top. It is just a bit smaller than a Moorhen but not by a lot. I have attached the flight image too.

Naturenutz · #2 (**permalink**) 25-06-2011, 06:28 PM

could be a green sandpiper,a wading bird.

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 25-06-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naturenutz

could be a green sandpiper,a wading bird.

It definitely is!

shadowx · #4 (**permalink**) 25-06-2011, 06:32 PM

It does look plausible, but is it a reasonably common sight this time of year?

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 25-06-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowx

It does look plausible, but is it a reasonably common sight this time of year?

Failed breeding birds will be beginning to pass through now. There's no doubt about the ID of the bird!

shadowx · #6 (**permalink**) 25-06-2011, 06:51 PM

Ah well thanking you!

What is the likely next moves of this individual then? Feed up a bit before continuing on his flight path? Where is he headed? I dont know how much food is going to find in the water there, it's only filled by rain water as far as i know and mostly dries up in dry spells.

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 25-06-2011, 07:12 PM

Looking up in the BTO Migration Atlas it says that this species is one of the first waders to return from the northern breeding grounds, starting in mid-June + peaking in July + continuing to September.

Earliest birds are often females often leaving unfledged young with the males.Most of the birds head south-southwest from Brtain into France + Iberian peninsula. The birds may linger at good feeding areas + a few winter here.