Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 186 - Ruddy Turnstones

These birds are Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) another bird the breeds in the high Arctic but spends the summer in Australia.  I am always impressed by this kind of migration - but when it involves flying to an island as small as Lord Howe I become even more impressed.

These birds were feeding on a bed of algae that had been exposed at low tide - so I suppose these could technically be called Turnfronds as they were not turning stones at all.  The light was stunningly bright, which may explain why the birds do not look that 'Ruddy' - although they are clearly not in their full breeding plumage either.

I dont think these are the best images I have made, but I can't help but like the inquisitive looks on the birds faces as the peek under the algae looking for food.









Now it's over to you to join in - click the blue button and off you go.  SM


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35 comments:

  1. Sallie (FullTime-Life)17 February 2016 at 03:19

    It has been awhile since you've posted a bird I'm familiar with! I also enjoy watching these guys exploring ... They are around our beaches in the wintertime too (in Florida). Thank you for hosting and for the great pictures here .

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  2. Kusum17 February 2016 at 03:27

    Wow! never seen these birds, may be endemic to AUS.

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  3. Marcia17 February 2016 at 03:38

    Amazing the navigation system of birds. Amelia Earhart may not have disappeared if humans had such a navigation instinct.

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  4. Brian King17 February 2016 at 03:42

    Cute little birds! Nicely camouflaged even among green.

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  5. Rhodesia17 February 2016 at 03:53

    Lovely photos. Migration in birds always amazes me, so clever to know where to be for the right weather. Wish I could afford to migrate in the European winter! Diane

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  6. NatureFootstep17 February 2016 at 04:05

    they are beautiful birds I love to see. I´ve seen them in Morocco. Probably during the migration then :)

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  7. TexWisGirl17 February 2016 at 04:17

    very cute birds.

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  8. Maude Lynn17 February 2016 at 04:23

    Really nice shots, Stewart!

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  9. Author R. Mac Wheeler17 February 2016 at 04:37

    They look a lot like the sandpipers we have down this way. Love to watch them work their way across the beach. Beautiful creatures.

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  10. FAB17 February 2016 at 04:40

    A delightful 'chunky' wader that is still on my photo hit list. I'll look forward to seeing them again later this month when I lead a trip to the coast.

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  11. DeniseinVA17 February 2016 at 05:15

    Adorable looking birds. They would be fun to observe.

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  12. eileeninmd17 February 2016 at 06:20

    Hello Stewart, The Ruddy Turnstones are one bird I am familiar with seen here in the spring and summer. I did not know they were also in Australia. Wonderful photos, thanks for hosting. Enjoy your week!

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  13. John eos shooter17 February 2016 at 06:42

    I love ruddy turnstones! Gr. John

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  14. Kenneth Cole Schneider17 February 2016 at 07:07

    Their migration is an amazing feat.

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  15. Mary Howell Cromer17 February 2016 at 07:21

    Ha-ha yes, Turnfronds rater than Turnstones in this case for sure. They are so pretty. I apologize for not feeling my best and missing a couple of entries in past weeks, but I am gaining on the down side and rising to the day~

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  16. Neesie17 February 2016 at 08:17

    Oh how I wish I could fly to Australia for the summer. I've only been back here in the UK for two years but I miss that southern hemisphere light so much.
    Fantastic photographs of a bird I've never seen before. I'm astounded by their migrating skills.
    I'm a great bird lover and spend a fortune filling three feeding stations around my home. When we first arrived back from Melbourne we hardly had any birds visit the garden.
    I'm quite proud of the fact that I've increased the population ten fold!

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  17. Dave17 February 2016 at 09:55

    I love watching them when they migrate through my neck of the woods here in Ohio! Great shots as always!

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  18. Sylvia K17 February 2016 at 12:37

    Fun looking birds and great captures as always, Stewart!!

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  19. Linda W.17 February 2016 at 16:20

    "Who's that guy with the camera interrupting our dinner?" Cute capture of the bird's expressions!

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  20. Christian Perrin17 February 2016 at 19:27

    I always love seeing 'turnfronds', they are quite a busy and colourful wader! Nice photos :)

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  21. Lea17 February 2016 at 20:19

    I like the last photo the best!
    Thanks for hosting this meme
    Lea

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  22. Breathtaking17 February 2016 at 21:29

    Hello Stewart!:) I like watching these birds, sometimes hard to capture because they are fast little movers, they seem to run rather than walk. I sometimes refere to them as Turn Seaweeds, as that is what I observe on our shores.

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  23. Marilyn Kircus17 February 2016 at 21:36

    That is one of our most common shorebirds in winter on the Upper Texas Coast. You inspired me to find out just where they go. Here is the link to the species distribution based on the observation data turned in to eBird. http://ebird.org/ebird/map/rudtur?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=all&byr=1900&eyr=2016

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  24. jp@A Green Ridge17 February 2016 at 22:24

    Stewart, I cannot figure out how you are able to such great photos of the shore-birds. They are so fast and unpredictable...always darting and dashing!!...:)JP

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  25. maryaustria18 February 2016 at 03:37

    These are beautiful birds! I have never seen them before! Gorgeous photos!

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  26. A Colorful World18 February 2016 at 04:08

    Lovely birds! So glad the algae was exposed. You were able to get some great photos.

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  27. Inspired By June18 February 2016 at 11:54

    You always feature the most interesting birds, Stewart - always a pleasure!

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  28. Linda18 February 2016 at 17:25

    I've got tips for photography birds from your window! http://webcroft.blogspot.com/2016/02/tips-bird-feeders-for-photography.html

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  29. Pat Tillett18 February 2016 at 17:31

    Mother Nature equips them with some amazing navigation equipment.
    Great photos Stewart, even better when enlarged.

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  30. Phil Slade19 February 2016 at 03:01

    Hi Stewart. Turnstones just get everywhere. I even saw them in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, not to mention just down the road at Knott End. Such amazing long-distance migrants.

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  31. Anne (cornucopia)19 February 2016 at 08:25

    Great photos, Stewart. They remind me of Sand Pipers and Yellow Legs. There is something fascinating about the way these birds walk around on the shore edge, poking around for food.

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  32. tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com19 February 2016 at 12:45

    I love the look on their faces too, very intent on what they are doing,thanks for sharing & for hosting!phyllis

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  33. Nathailes SANTA MARIA20 February 2016 at 07:42

    TRès belle série Stewart, nice bird !

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  34. JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/22 February 2016 at 07:42

    Your facts make the Turnstones even more fascinating.

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  35. Anonymous23 February 2016 at 11:29

    What pretty birds!

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