Curlew Sandpiper, Seaton Devon.

Well, at last I managed to get out and about today and decided to see if I could gat a glimpse of the Little Crake that had been seen at Black Hole Marsh (Seaton) from the hide. I thought that even if we didnt get a glimpse of the crake then a few other wading birds had been seen there and at last there would be something to see. That's exactly how it turned out and it wasn't long before it became obvious that seeing the Crake was going to be difficult. It had been seen only once in the morning and not since 0700 so I wasn't hopeful. We lingered on the edge of the wooden platform that leads to the hide because there are a few holes cut out of the fence there  that gives a good view over the mud. It was only a few minutes before a Curlew Sandpiper - Calidris ferruginea put in an appearance and as this is not a bird I have got good photos of for my Devon Gallery I enjoyed seeing it.  This is a bird that breeds on the tundra of arctic Siberia and is on the migration to Africa even as far south as South Africa and one of the best places to see them in Africa is Langebaan Lagoon near to Cape Town which, interestingly,  is a place that I have visited.   This one  was feeding in the very shallow water just in front of me but I needed to use all my experience to try and make the best of the light which was in my face.  It was feeding in the very shallow water and stayed for a short while before it flew off to the other end of the water. I also took nice photos of a Ruff (which I will post later) as well Lapwing, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret.