Sandpiper siesta.

**Kenn** · 10-Mar-10, 18:04

Came across these today at Sandside Bay, there must have been upwards of 50 all beaks under wing.
Delighted to see the Shellducks are still there along with the large flock of Curlews.

**Sporran** · 10-Mar-10, 18:47

The Sandpipers of Sandside Bay. They all look so cute, LIZZ!

Did you really get that close, or did you zoom in with your camera?

**Kevin Milkins** · 10-Mar-10, 22:54

Nice shot LIZZ.

It's interesting that the RSPB website shows the Sandpiper as about 100 birds wintering in the far South and they arrive here in March /April.

You have a good shot of what must be the the early arrivals.

The RSPB: Common sandpiper

**nirofo** · 11-Mar-10, 01:58

Originally Posted by Kevin Milkins

Nice shot LIZZ.

It's interesting that the RSPB website shows the Sandpiper as about 100 birds wintering in the far South and they arrive here in March /April.

You have a good shot of what must be the the early arrivals.

The RSPB: Common sandpiper

Hi Kevin

They're Purple Sandpipers, we have had them here since the late Autumn, they arrive here on passage from the Arctic circle and northern Scandinavia as Winter visitors. They will soon be leaving for their Summer breeding grounds, very occasionally they have bred in Caithness and Sutherland.

Nice shot by the way LIZZ.

nirofo.

**Kenn** · 11-Mar-10, 11:41

Thank you for the information, very interesting and delighted as they are a new species for me.
I did wonder about getting so close to them and read that they are quite tame, which for once allowed me to get some decent pictures as my camera does not have the sort of zoom lens that means I can be a long way off.

**Kevin Milkins** · 14-Mar-10, 04:23

Originally Posted by nirofo

Hi Kevin

They're Purple Sandpipers, we have had them here since the late Autumn, they arrive here on passage from the Arctic circle and northern Scandinavia as Winter visitors. They will soon be leaving for their Summer breeding grounds, very occasionally they have bred in Caithness and Sutherland.

Nice shot by the way LIZZ.

nirofo.

Thanks for that info, nirofo.