IMAGE OF THE MONTH

MARCH 2022

Look out!

Shorebirds are a group of birds that I have wanted to photograph for a long time.   I suppose it was because I was not sure know how to approach them without flying off a hundred yards at the sight of you.   A lot of observation was required to understand their behaviour.  But I have done this with all the species I have photographed, so what was stopping me.  Location, accessibility and a variety of species.  This year all that changed.

I was walking along the beach with camera in hand photographing the crashing waves, when I noticed a small group of birds not far from me chasing the incoming tide.   I was carrying binoculars with me so I had a look to see what they were.  It was a wee group of Redshank.  I immediately dropped to me knees in the hope they had not spotted me.  Next thing, here they were making their way towards me!   I just froze.  They were chasing the tide and then probing the sand for food.  I took some video footage of the behaviour, which I will piece together in a proper video.  They were not at all bothered by me and did not see me as a threat and clearly feeding was more important.

I went back the next day to the same spot and here was one perched on the rock, getting splashed on the incoming tide.   So I knew the shot I wanted was at the point the wave almost engulfed the bird.   There were very addictive to watch.  So that was me hooked. 

I went home and grabbed my shorebird books to see how long the species would be here for before going off to their breeding grounds.  This was going to be a longer term project as more species appeared on the beach.