Wader ringing weekend Pt4: Colour-marking observation.

On the last morning the group split up and visited several places in search of colour-marked birds on a data collection exercise. I confess here and now that I found none, but thoroughly enjoyed the morning's birding at the Snettisham pits.

Snettisham pits.

As we walked along the path towards the pits a number of waders were encountered.

Watch out chaps! Here come those ringing types!

Bar-tailed Godwit acquiring breeding plumage.

Pied Avocets.

Eurasian Oystercatchers in flight with Dunlin.

There was a large gathering of Red Knot and Eurasian Oystercatchers on the shingle bank.

The knot and oystercatchers on the shingle bank.

Every now and then they'd rise and settle down again.

The contrast between the two species was very pleasing to the eye.

Whenever a gull came and landed the knot gave it a wide berth.

Eventually the knot started moving off as the tide began to fall.

The knot left in groups and spread out over the mud.

Other birds on the pits.

Pied Avocet.

Summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit.

 On the return walk we came across a number of Common Ringed Plovers.

Common Ringed Plover.

Elis sneaking up on a Common Ringed Plover.

Danni, Luke and me enjoying the birding spectacle that Snettisham has to offer.

After returning to the base and doing our bit to get the place tidy, we headed home, exhausted, happy and extremely impressed by what we had seen and experienced. We take our hats off to these hardy folk and whenever we see any statistics about waders we will think about the effort, discipline and indeed suffering that has gone into the collection of that data.

Wash Wader Ringing Group in action on a chilly Norfolk beach.

Well done Wash Wader Ringing Group, keep up the good work, we're behind you all the way (in our nice warm office!).